>The war, however, is not the only thing spreading chaos about the land. The gods, and the arcane are returning to the world after nearly 4000 years of having been thought dead. You, are at the forefront of those in the empire re-discovering that which has been lost for four millenia, and your ultimate goal is to become the Praetorian of the Divine.
>
>That office once thought lost to obsolescence with the disappearance of the gods, 1000 some years after the mortal races, humans, dwarves, elves, the cat-like felixsians, and the massive hulking lizard-men known as lacertans, killed the gods immortal servants on the mortal plain, the 6 Dragons, Elemental Patriarchs and Elemental Matrairchs 5000 years ago.
>You are currently going through a much needed period of staff enlargement and tending to your persoinal assets, and most of your plans involve either training the arcanists in the maniples of the other members of the Praetorian Militants fists, and the new order tasked with hunting and killing the vicious, bestial Loukys, an ancient race of intelligent predatory creatures recently returned to the land of the living.

The silence reigns for minutes, before all at once the Commanders present begin to voice their dissent, yourself amongst the loudest.
"SILENCE!!" the Praetorian bellows. "Tehre will be no imperseantion of House Stant, Dyron, Tresnam, Grentil or Wellis, as they are known to be embroiled in familial war over succession, or destroyed. I would suggest upjumped nights from the Southern Greyrun, as High COmmander Lucretius did an excellent job of wiping that region clean of Lords. Have any of you members of your retinue that could discretely hire Uurlanthi mercenaries, as Uurlanthi nobles, so that the loot from Estrok will not return to Degnar, and that our ruse is more believable?"

>>15322834

I think the general consensus last time was we are NOT going to kill innocent civilians under a false-flag operation.

>>15322834
Admit we have someone that might be able to but continue to voice our objections to this plan. This plan is way too risky...

"Commander, if a large force like ourselves were to attack Duchy lands, though 'Urlanthi', the sudden withdrawal after attacking the town will be suspicious on itself!

>>15322864
Openly refusing to participate in this operation could be a devastating- even fatal- blow to our military career. The commanders gathered here are the leaders of the most prestigious units in the Empire; if we take a stand against our boss we'll be doing it in far too public a venue for any response from the Praetorian to be possible but smacking us down as hard as he can. That would be VERY BAD.

>>15322834
As he just said House Stant is out of the question, we don't. Unless mystics count, and I don't think that ours is stable enough to pull that off. Volunteer no one.

>>15322834
"I do, but I cannot reveal his identity. He is a dead man to Uurlanth."

What does "upjumped" mean?

>>15322891
I agree, with both parts. The hitting the city and dispersing doesn't line up with any sort of expansionist tactics, that's just asking for built up defenses.

>>15322907
Well the noble doing the hiring doesn't have to be from House Stant. Janos should be familiar enough with the other houses he could pose as random Uurlanth noble X. And all we have to say is we might have someone that could do that. No need to say anything more about Janos.

>>15322920

You're so short on manpower that you have to promote unqualified men into leadership.

>>15322834
Well, Blackbird is probably the best person for this kind of thing but the problem is if Duchy troops see him, he may get recognized, either during or after the battle.

If we need to get Uurlanthian mercs, Kaitlyn would be good as a face to hire them.

As for tactics-wise, we are actually good at this kind of black ops ambush style attack, but of course, we don't want or like doing it on those who aren't our enemies.

I don't think I'd be saying this but I'd rather fight the Loukys.

>>15322965
Unfortuantely this mission will not let us use our normal tactics because we have to look like an Uurlanth force. No wagons, no repeater crossbows, no night vision paste and no awesome tactics we normally use. We have to use human wave tactics to a degree.

>>15322980
We do get to build and deploy nice siege engines though. Uurlanth are siege experts.

Second the suggestion that sacking a city and not holding it is stupid. Uurlanth is an expansionist Kingdom, not a rabble of bandits.

>>15322980
Yes, that's a good point. Uurlanthian merc rush anyone?

At the first opportunity, tell Janos NOT to sell our looted Uurlanthi equipment.

List of things to do:
1. Suggest "tactical blunder" like being seen early to let duchy city get evacuated and not need to kill civvies
2. Hire guards for academy
3. Make sure temples are being reconstructed
4. More mental training
5. Form a bodyguard force for us, waifus, and retinue specifically
6. Check up on what our engineers are up to (also expand them if possible)
7. Transform Gaius's unit into preatorians
8. Begin waifuization process of Vi
9. Have Deaseu stay in town to build his network this campaign and aid Janos in getting rid of the slumlord
10. Check in with the lord we made friends with at the party
11. Execute Nyetini plan
12. See if Finian (since he is ex-duchy) has any ideas on how to get the dwarves to evacuate before we strike so there is either no or almost no loss of life
13. Hell, maybe see if Raynha or Nyetini have ideas on how to keep this from going down since they would both have a vested interest in the cityfolk surviving. Would also earn us brownie points, or in the case of Nyetini possible poon points

Ideas:

Uurlanth field smaller infantry units than Degnar. Split our two legion units into 3 or 4 units of fake men-at-arms. Have Wulf and Laelith captain them.

Our dead-eyes can disguise as longbow-men.

Our dwarven units disguise as mercs. Maybe try to use them to infiltrate the city and open the gates. Even if that part of the mission fails, at least it would give a plausible explanation for why Uurlanth would bring some many dwarven mercs to attack a dwarven city.

Four other Commanders in the room raise their hands to signify that they have men that would fit the Praetor Militants description with you. "Praetor, this plan is far too risky for the possible rewards. If it is-"

"In the amount of time it will take for this plan to be executed, the King will be on the southern front with as many soldiers as we are currently struggling to hold at bay in the north. And he is a stronger tactician than his brother. If we do not counter the influence of the Guilds Degnar WILL fall. If the Duchy learns of our ruse, their sense of justice will lead them to raise, and slaughter one of our cities near them. King Garius would be a fool to interfere with Duchy justice, that would be almost as certain to throw him into a war with the Duchy than this plan."

"And how will the ruse stand after we fade away?" Commander... Rutilius, you believe, asks.

The first Commanders Maniple you screened, Commander Salvius shakes his head and replies "The REAL upjumped Southern Greyrun Lords will not be stupid enough to pass on such a fine opportunity to boost their own standing. There are more would-be Lords than there are cities of import in the south, they will blame others for the stupidity of the attack, then take the glory for holding the new teritory. I stand with Trentz, however. This plan is that of a fool.

The Praetorian takes a long drink from his cup "Did you not hear me? Without an ally in this war soon, we will all be dead or slaves, and our nation no more." He takes a long pause "After it is all over, I intend to journey north of the Dragonspines, after relinquishing my post. What other objections or additions do you have?"

>>15323148

problem: any dwarves with degnarian tattoos or any captured being tortured for information.

And I can't help but see the use of mercs from any nation as a BAD IDEA of several magnitudes. Unless we somehow find the SCUMMIEST OF SCUM mercs, the very presence of them risks blowing our cover.

>>15323176
"If the city is going to be close to the front lines, could we put the Duchy city under siege with men in disguise but then chase them off with another army of our own men? With a force like that arriving, it wouldn't be absurd for us to have scouts all over watching for their movements and one commander acting on his own to defend the Duchy despite them being a neutral party wouldn't be impossible for them to accept. If we fill out the Uurlanth army with mercenaries, we can even have some fighting. I've seen enough Uurlanth nobles fight to see them throw mercenaries into the grinder while their own forces sit back."

>>15323181
Agreed. We can disguise ourselves as merc units. Bringing in actual Uurlanthi merc units would jeopardize the ruse far more than letting the civilians flee.

>>15323181
That's why the people who hire the mercs act like Uurlanth agents to do the hiring. We don't hire them in any way as apart of Degnar.

>>15323207
second

>>15323181
"We will have to pick up and drag away, or outright Burn, any of our casualties in this. There is barely a soldier out there in our barracks that dont have a tattoo or marking showing their pride in their country or their army. Those that are my valued retinue, who I generally have leading, will have to take that usual support role that the Urlanthi mages take. This plan is one of the worst i've heard, and i'm sorry to say that, but it might be better off if I was just sent off to the diplomatic talks rather then off to raid their towns. Our men, our soldiers, even my Officers, they have family, Children, in Duchy lands, How will i look when i ask my captains to go there to raise a town?"

>>15323257
I can accept the first part but I think the first is well aware this is a bad plan. No reason to keep harping on how bad it is. At this point we just point out problems and suggest better ideas or plans.

If we can come up with a better plan, I think he'll let us try it.

But preparations should still be made, in case...

"Sir, what if we strike the Uurlanthi King and slay him?"

We're Justinian Trentz, damnit! FUCK THE TRACKS

>>15323327
Suggest a feasible plan where we can take out the king and I might support this. Bonus points if it doesn't rely on the gods to hand us a victory on a platter to do it.

What if we disguised ourselves as mercenaries, hired a few units of actual Uurlanthi mercenaries, and started raising hell in the Duchy countryside (as a sort of preparation for an assault, denying them supplies). Then when the Duchy shows up with military force, we abandon the actual mercs, who get interrogated into revealing that they were hired by Uurlanth.

>>15323207
I like this idea. We may get some brownie points after they recognize Justinian as the one who captured Khaless and got him executed.

>>15323351
putting name up as well.

Can we mint Uurlanthi coin? Hire a bunch of Uurlanthi mercs with Uurlanthi money. Have our commanders and retinue members lead this purely merc force to sack the city. Don't bring any actual Degnar troops.

Make it look like some rich, upstart Uurlanthi merchant noble wanted to get himself a city to rule.

This would take an ungodly amount of money. But Degnar can't have that money if we're conquered anyway.

>>15323351
This is also good, I can stomach selling out mercs MUCH more than civilians and our own men.

>>15323383
A rich noble will have some of his own troops. We'll need some of our own men to be apart of the Uurlanth force no matter what. And honestly, if we have to lose some men to spare the entire city? I'm willing to risk that and I think any patriotic Degnar citizen would too. Hell, I'd volunteer us for that force if necessary. We can't rely on only mercs unfortunately.

The hardest part will be making the mercs believe we're Uurlanth though...

>>15323351
I like this, personally.

>>15323342

Just spitt-balling here, but perhaps let the King's army strike at our lines and push through. We hide an army say in Duchy lands/caves and strike for the king once the front passes?

The problem is that we'll NEED to call in favors in at least minor amounts, but the alternative is to lose favor and pray the false-flag attack works.

But hey, fuck the debt my crazy plan will bring. If degnar falls, debt and favor will be meaningless.

>>15323419
The problem is the King's army is huge and we have no idea where he'll be. Will he be near the front lines? Will he be near the rear of his force? Unless we can get solid intel, we're going to have to cut through his force until we find him and that will require a lot of boons. Furthermore, we don't even know if this will stop the Uurlanth since we don't know how his heir will react.

>>15323383
>>15323351
>>15323207
Somehow mix these into "Operation: Fuck Mercenaries"

>>15323449
If fusing them will remove our own units in the equation, I think I'll stick with mine. Unfortunately, I think we need to have some of our own troops there who don't look like mercenaries for this plot to succeed.

>>15323456
Can we scrape together enough Degnar troops who:
1. Are good enough actors and won't give away the fact that they are from Degnar when in camp with Uurlanthi mercs.
2. Do not have Degnar military tattoos or are willing to get them removed.

>>15323535
In regards to the first one, it might work if we just keep the mercs separated from our men when we camp. Won't work great I guess but it's possible. In regards to the second, how am I supposed to know? I'm not running this nor have we had the chance to look into it. You should be asking Pax that.

>>15323176
Wait a minute.

Even if this mission is successful, doesn't it just mean that the Duchy go to Uurlanth and sack one of their cities instead?

What if the Uurlanth just lets them do it? They know they can come back for the Duchy after they destroy Degnar.

As for the dwarves, what if they stop after that one city?

You think for a while, half-ignoring the additions and debate for the current plan. "Would it be possible for us to mint Uurlanthi coin, and hire a large force of mercenaries to do preparatory raiding around Estrok. Perhaps even begin to lay siege to the city, all under the guise that one of the upjumped Greyrun Lords had hired them in an attempt to forcibly create a city to Lord over in Uurlanth for himself. A small force of our own soldiers will act as his personal forces, and a force of our own men will break the siege before the hammer that is the kings army can arrive to finish the city, our forces under the guise that they are to relieve High Commander Lucretius."

The room falls to silence. "It is better than attempting to sack an allies city, and slaughtering its inhabitants, and safer as well." Commander Salvius offers.

"Gold is naught compared to Degnar, and mercenaries are... mercenaries." another commander, Taperius, you think, adds.

The first takes another drink "It would need to be a large force, we will still need Uurlanthi deserters to hire the mercenaries, and the one to command the operation will need to be brave, and willing to die for his Homeland. I will not risk any of you. I would have volunteer soldiers from all of your maniples, however, as well as a captain who is tactically sound, and able to play the part of an Uurlanthi trader. We will reconvene in three days time, each of your had best have a man to offer for the command, as well as soldiers. Leave me."

The group of Commanders stop immediately outside the Pratorians chambers, all of them looking at you.

>>15323600
I repeat that we can use Kaitlyn to be the face of this operation. Firstly, she knows how to act as a lady, being a lord's bodyguard. Secondly, she's an unknown in Uurlanth, as people won't recognise her. They will see the lord and not the bodyguard.

>>15323600
"... What?"

>>15323600

Look around at them "What? The other possible plan was a do-or-die attack by both fists to slay their King!"

>>15323600
"I'm aware my plan isn't much better but I couldn't accept the slaughter of that town for a plan that might not even work. Unless there's something you need from me, I think we best be off since we all have some hard choices to make."

>>15323652
While this is true, I don't know how pleased Janos will be with this plan. Hell, I don't know how pleased anyone will be with this plan... It's basically a suicide mission from the sound of it. Hmm...

>>15323600
Do any of you have some insight into how to best approach this? I'd like to think my plan is a good one, but if there's something I haven't considered I need to hear it now.

We don't have to send Janos or Kaitlyn, but, we can have then train whomever we chose to send on proper Urlanthi etiquette and protocol.

>>15323705
Good call. But that still doesn't change the fact we have to send someone... We better talk to Janos about this before deciding.

>>15323718
We'd pretty much have to, anyway.

Talks on IRC are converging on sending Daeseu.

Maybe appeal to his pride as an operative. This will be the most challenging mission he'll ever undertake. If he succeeds, he'll know that he single-handedly brought a nation to war.

You sigh "I realize that this plan is not much better than the original... but it is more certain than that plan, and does not necessitate the slaughter of countless civilians."

The others all nod in agreement, Commander Spuria is the one to speak her mind however "It also calls for the almost certain sacrifice of one of our captains or retinue members. Whom we all know are the reasons that each and every one of us hold these positions. I believe that I am speaking for all of us when I say that it should be your man who goes on this mission. Though, if you truly cannot find a man to fit the bill, we will relent." A few of the commanders look shocked, taken aback, or insulted, but most all of them agree with the blunt woman.

You raise an eyebrow "When was this consensus reached."

High Commander Sulpicious is the one to reply "Silently, while you were giving your plan. All of us, excluding yourself, and Commanders Renol, Agrenus, and Suetonius have been at these posts since the beginning of the last war."

>so, any reply to this, or head back to your barracks?

>>15323790
Still against sending Dasesu. Don't think he could manage the job as a commander and we need him building his network so our enemies in the capital stop fucking with us. Or at least so we can fuck back with them.

>>15323790
We can't send him as our sole representative. We're expected to send someone who isn't... uh... a crazy sadistic elven torturer/assassin with no command experience.

Point is, we're sending troops as well and we'd better give them a commander who can keep them alive. Honestly, give the Uurlanthi tendency to use swarms of elementalists and mages I'm tempted to say that we need to send some of ours to reinforce the ruse, except that ours are too damned priceless to risk on something like this.

>>15323805
"I may have someone. I will talk to them and see if they can pull it off. I will be in touch"

head back to the barracks

>>15323805
"I'm well prepared to do my duty for Degnar despite the cost to my maniple and the sacrifice of a friend. Had the First not said so, I would have volunteered to go myself. Although I am surprised there are those here who would hesitate to do what's necessary to save our people."

And just walk past them at this point. Screw those guys being too afraid to sacrifice someone for the survival of the empire.

>>15323805
"My men are survivors. I think I have one or two we could send."

Since the option's been voiced, I'm for sending Daesu. Out of everyone we could pick, the man is most likely to survive.

>>15323805
Pause. Hard voice.

"Fine, then. It was my plan, and me and mine shall do what is required to ensure that it succeeds. Whether we are live or dead at the end of it."

Hopefully that will make it clear that if we make the plan and provide the likely sacrifice, we're claiming credit for it. Then we're done here.

I'm thinking we send Wulf at this point... He's a sound commander and if he works with Janos, he can act the trader hopefully. More importantly, he's liked by Eago. And we can talk to Eago to look out for Wulf more on our behalf, and I'm willing to take on some debt to help Wulf out in this case.

I'm suggesting we send cornelius or wulf to command and desau to help them escape if things get hairy

Maximus has suggested in the IRC to send Wulf, as he has a pretty good mix of the necessary skills.

Also, there's the consideration that he's the Chosen of Eago; we might be able to come to an agreement for extra protection for Wulf to get him out of this suicide mission.

>>15323913
I like the Wulf idea, and the sending Daeseu to help (provided there's no risk of his former employer finding him) plus Eago make it seem like the best bet for surviving the suicide mission.

You pause, deaden your face, and reply "Very well. I am prepared to do what Degnar needs to survive. I would have gone myself had the First not ordered that we not go ourselves. I will see all of you in three days." and at that, you walk past them, keeping a brisk pace, and not looking to either side.

-----CQ-----

You spend much of the ride contemplating who you will send off to see that this misison is a success. As you feel that you are close to deciding on who it will be, you reach the walls of your barracks. You dismount to enter, and as soon as the gate is open, you are tackled. "Your going to be married not too long after we return from this next campaign. Your coming with us." Cornelius states. Gaius props up a light wooden screen around you, one of the other males in your command staff tosses a change of cloths over it, much more casual in nature.

"Unless ya'have a damned good reason to stay here and work that is. But yer not gettin' out of this altogether." Uurist adds as you contemplate the cloths lying on the street before you.

>>15323996
Oh, and also, if Daeseu thinks he won't have to start over with his network.

>>15323996
I'm still against sending Dasesu personally. He needs to get our network up and running so we can deal with that damn slumlord.

>>15324004
I don't see a reason to skip the bachelor party. We have three days, it's late already, and we can let the men have some fun with us before we drop the bomb on them.

>>15324004
"It'll have to happen another time unfortunately. I'm going to be occupied with selecting someone to send on a suicidal mission. If you'll excuse me."

Might be time we talk to Janos and see if he could train Wulf to fill the role we need before we tell him.

>>15324004

Skip party. It will have to wait until we've completed this mission.

Voting to send Wulf with Daeseu as a "bodyguard" and secondary source of info.

>>15324092
We definitely need to talk to the gods at this point and see what favours we call pull in to help Wulf survive this... Eago might help but now that I think about it, Raynha might also be someone who will help more willingly. Since we are sparing all those innocent lives with this plan.

rolled 18 = 18

Oh /tg/ dice gods! What do you rate the good Trentz's mood at?

1-best mood ever
100- worst mood ever

You sigh, and push the screen to the ground, and for perhaps the first time since since you took your command, allow all of your emotions on a matter to show on your face. And considering what is likely to happen, it leaves the men surrounding you, though jovial and ready to celebrate, at the very least visibly shaken, though most of them are closer to scared or terrified. "Get the others, I need to tell all of you what our orders are, and how they came to be so."

-----CQ-----

After you tell your command staff what transpired at your briefing today, the mood is, somber, at best. Lena is as pale as fresh-fallen snow, and is clutching to Wulf so hard you can see the cuts in his arm from her nails already. Gaius and Uurist are both shaking, though you would assume with rage. The rest of the soldiers at the table exhibit varying levels of anger, fear and trepidation. Daeseu breaks the silence "My network will be able to sustain itself, and perhaps continue to grow, unless my ability to discern a mans talent has been severely lessened in recent history."

Lena looks at you, eyes balancing on the precipice between tears of rage, and terror "I'm going with him." she informs you, her voice _almost_ hard through all of her other emotions.

"And, what are we to do while Wulf is sent off to what a less confident man would assume to be his death?" Gaius asks, slowly calming himself.

"Wait, no doubt." Uurist spits, literaly, striking a pot in the corner of the room. "I see the necessity of this plan, but the cowardice of your peers, Commander..."

Wulf is the only one with a calm look on his face. Confident, determined, and ready to do his duty. as the others stare at you for an answer, he rolls up the sleeve to his tunic, to look at his service tattoo.

>>15324343
The consensus of my peers was that since I made the suggestion I should be the one to risk the consequences of said suggestion

>>15324343
"Lena. I Cannot let you go." Say in a very strong way, "The Reason i send Daeseu is because i trust him, that he will act in his best interests, and ensure that Wulf returns home. You however, are an added variable that will make it only tougher for him to accomplish this task, and, that your skills have already become well known. With you on the battlefield, the culprit, Us, will be known.

Know that I am not happy about this plan either, I am Very, upset, with the direction this war sends us to. But, it was either that, or the previous plan that would've had much higher damage to our allies lands."

>>15324343
"Lena, I'm sorry, but you cannot go with them. Wulf is needed there because he can lead, and Daeseu because he knows Uurlanth and can assist Wulf in getting out alive. Adding you makes the plan more complicated and decreases the odds of this not being a suicide mission. I know this hurts to hear, but you have to stay here. I suggest you make this time count."

"I hate this plan, I really do. I hate the Uurlanth for pushing us this far, I hate the Old Guard for their cowardice, I hate everything about this. That's why I need you both to come back alive, so there might be at least one bright spot in this abominable debacle. Janos will assist you in playing your part. Make me proud, and come back alive."

>>15324343
Well this should work for posting.

>>15324343
"I require two things from each of you. Firstly, I need any suggestions for how this endeavor can be carried out successfully- meaning both accomplishing the mission objective as given to me by the Praetorian, and seeing to the safe return of Wulf and those who accompany him. Secondly, I will have a promise that word of this will be kept in secrecy except as necessary to the operation's success, and that at the earliest possible opportunity each of you will begin training with Autronius to ensure that the knowledge cannot be easily pulled from you unknowing. That should be done anyway; it will likely become a requirement for all officers sooner or later."

Look at Lena sadly. This will be hard. "Lena... give me an argument, as an officer of the Legion, why one of the best- and only- skilled bright mages in Dengar is so necessary to this operation that we can afford to risk her. Make it compelling enough that I can justify the deaths of the tens of thousands of my countrymen who will perish if we do not have your skills with us in the battles to come, if you are not there to ensure that the bright mages training now achieve the level of mastery that you have and to guide them down your path. Do that, and I can send you with Wulf."

>>15324343
>>15324371
I am no happier about this than any of you. Had I the power, I would go myself. Though I doubt that you would have thought that any better.

>>15324343
In addition to everyone else's:
"This is a bad plan. There are too many unknowns, too many variables, too fucking many things that could go wrong.
"But, it's the only plan that I could come up with given the situation and the time constraints.
"I know that this goes against everything I've done till now, but I'm going to call in every marker and boon I have with the Divine on this. There is simply too great a chance of failure without it."

I hate doing this, but this falls into one of those "impossible without divine aid" situations. We have 3 days to set this up, with no far-reaching intelligence agency like MI6 or a Special Operations Executive for an Operation Mincemeat type of deception.

Looks like we are already decided on this, but I'll throw in my vote for Wulf + Daeseu.

Here's hoping Eago can pull some crazy escape-artist shenanigans for them.

>>15324490
Pax, do we have any intel from the Duchy regarding whether they've started training elementalists or deploying newly rune-forged weapons?
I'd like to know just how badly outgunned Wulf is going to be.

>>15324490
You know the worst part of this?

The gods will know the truth, and they've already demonstrated their willingness to share secrets with their servants. It will take exactly ONE member of the Duchy with a lot of divine favor to find it out, and make this whole damned ruse be utterly pointless and backfire horribly.

>>15324551
I guess it's a good thing that Dwarves distrust the divine heavily, then.

>>15324551
See that's the whole problem with the Divine. They can find out without us coming to them, since they're gods. They make any kind of long-term deception near-impossible, unless it's Divine-sanctioned.

Pax, in-setting, could the gods just know what we did, or would it require that we come to them for them to find out about it?

You sigh, pull the flask from your boot, and set it on the table. You command staff begin to pass it around, each of them drinking from it, only Wulf and Lena abstain, and you finish off the flask when it reaches you. Finally you respond "I will push as hard as I can for it to be us that executes the final phase of the plan." is all you can offer at first before you add "Yes, it would seem that more waiting is in order, as the new plan, this somehow, infuriatingly wiser plan does not call for a largescale mobilization." Gaius fumes, and Aurelius sinks deep into his seat.

"And me?" Lena asks, still teetering between two sorts of tears.

You go for your flask again, only to remember that it is empty "Lena... there is a reason for Wulf going on this mission. There is a reason for Daeseu going. If you could present me with a reason, that as a Commander of the Degnarian Legion I could justify the risk of losing your prowess as perhaps the most powerful Brightmage in the Empire as an instructor and battlefield asset, to both myself, AND my superiors, I would let you go. However..." the steel in your voice cuts you far deeper than you have ever been cut, physically or emotionally. Silently, Lena begins to sob tears into Wulfs arm, hiding her face from the rest of the table. "Wulf, you will need to train with Janos on how to act as Uurlanthi Nobleman, and Autronius for resisting mental assaults, but with the rest of your time..." Wulf nods, lifts Lena into his arms, and strides from the room silently.
>cont'd

At that, the meeting is over. Bellatrix walks over to Wulf "If you-" she starts, but a quick, albeit small fork of electricity throws her back from the young man, and into the wall in naught but the blink of an eye. Aurelius rushes to her side, but after a brief exchange, he stands up as she pushes herself shakily from the ground.

Coenelius does not head for the dormitories, any of them. he slowly walks from the barracks, though Aurelius quickly catches him. Daeseu seems to have already stole into the night, most likely to solidify your intelligence network. Your face must be a terrifying sight to behold, however, as not a single soul is approaching you, though you can feel no ill will directed at you from any of your command staffs body language, or actions.

>>15324575
>they know

>>15324648
>they know
Well shit. There goes any hopes of long-term deceptions and such, when any nation that greases the gods' palms with enough faith/sacrifices/whatever can see through any ruse. It would then become an escalating price war on who could hire the services of the gods.

>>15324675
Yeah let's go talk to Eago and Raynha. I want to tip the odds in Wulf's favour ASAP. Wonder if any of the gods will want to talk to us over this matter.

>>15324675
Jogra will likely be none to pleased with it as well.
So, let us get the opinions of the other members of Team Trentz

>>15324686
Actually let's go see Cornelius and Aurelius now. The talking to the gods can wait for after we talk to them.

>>15324702
Second.

>>15324648
let's call Bellatrix, Aurelius, and Cornelius together and see if they have any specific concerns with this new campaign

>>15324686
Sorry, deleted because I think catching up to the three standouts should come first. I'll resuggest the communion after that.

>>15324676
Is there any chance that this simply hasn't occurred to our superiors and they'd be willing to scrap the whole plan if they knew that it's going to be an utterly transparent ruse to anyone with an inkling of divine knowledge?

Okay, who to send with Wulf + Daeseu.

1. Send one of our best medics / life elementalists with them. It's normal for a nobleman to have his personal physician. We don't want Wulf to die because he caught an arrow in the back as he fled.

2. Get Jayne to send some of her best riders with them. Our fake nobleman will have his personal Uursan bodyguard unit, albeit a small one. They are to defend Wulf with their lives. (Wulf and Daeseu will still ride horses. I do not believe this would be suspicious.)

This way, when it's time for the merc forces to get hammered, Wulf can set up his battle lines, let the merc units get bogged down in fighting, and then simply turn around and ride toward Uurlanth.

>>15324725
Considering the sheer presence of Old Guard there, they'll probably call it cowardice on our part and beat us over the head with it. As I mentioned, it's a good thing that Dwarves distrust gods.

>>15324738
I'm using my brothers PC at the moment, and I'd like to second this and disqualify our vine guy from going. He's too conspicuous and we will be found out if he goes.

>>15324738
Iffy on the best life elementalists but we can send some I guess. I say no to sending Jayne's cavalry simply because we have yet to see Uurnalth use bear cavalry and I believe such cavalry is more common in the mountain regions. If they're posing as southern lords, bear cavalry would be out of place to have for his personal guard.

>>15324738
Would it be better to have a small Valkyrie force instead of Uursan, for air evac?

We don't need to trick people long term. First, the gods are only recently returning. It's unlikely that they will be taken as highly credible sources even if they have access to people in that nation.
Second, the perception of an event is often just as important as the truth in politics. They have to respond or be seen as critically weak.

>>15324778
>>15324780
The Northmont siege force had Uursan units, but I see your point about them being uncommon in South Uurlanth.

I'm okay with Wulf and Daeseu escaping on a valk. We have valks on call, and Uurlanth deploys them for rescue/escape missions as well.

They still need to flee the battlefield first though. Any valks attempting a rescue in the middle of the battle might get shot down.

Even with that escape plan, we need elite, mounted, loyal troops for his bodyguard unit. That will maximize Wulf and Daeseu's chances of survival. Any ideas?

>>15324848
If anyone will have ideas on how to best escape, it would probably be Dasesu. I think we should let him handle that kind of stuff or ask him about what to do.

>>15324848
>>15324872
I think that before we decide on these parts of the plan, we should have a meeting with Daeseu, Janos, and Wulf on what would be best, seeing as they're the experts on stealthily escaping and Uurlanthi noble behavior.

>>15324872
Yes. Talk to Daeseu. Tell him to start formulating his escape plan for himself and Wulf in this mission. Our full resources are at his disposal. He has to tell us what he needs in terms of troops, equipment, etc.

You walk over to Bellatrix, who does not turn, but must have seen you coming, as she answers your question before you ask it "Blood is to know its own. Though they may not openly realize it yet, he is as much my brother as he is your son. I was about to overstep myself, and he prevented it, before I gave him cause to truly attack me."

You stand next to her for a moment "They are good for each other, aren't they?"

Bellatrix nods "He worships her, as well he should, and she clings to him as..."

You smirk "Constantly, not only when she fears she will lose him. I see it as well." Bellatrix shakes her head, and rubbing at the spot in the center of her chest where the fork of electricity struck her, she heads back to the officers dormitory.

-----CQ-----

It takes you a while to catch up with Cornelius and Aurelius, and when you do, they are nearly at the border between the market district, and the market slums. Cornelius is leading, Aurelius glancing from side to side nervously "used to be like home to me" you catch Cornelius soothing the golden haired archer as they enter a bar a few blocks from the cusp of the market slums. You enter the bar not too long after them, and still the obvious regulars are happily greeting Cornelius, though they are calling him "Con" or "Lad".

"I thought we'd lost ye when that guard patrol busted in and took ye!" a dwarf exclaims, rubbing at the red patch just beneath his nose.

Cornelius chuckles "You would have, the Legion is good for me, saved me from an early grave in a back alley I dont doubt." his speech patterns are alien to you, terrifyingly so.

"Come back for a good time then?" a whore asks, under her nose is a similar red patch, though hers is darker, and slowly dripping down and over her lips and chin.

Aurelius looks at the spot in shock, just as the realization hits you. This bar serves more than just alcohol, they deal in Pynra Powder, illegal in the Empire.
>cont'd

The Legionary captain shakes his head "You wetting?"


The whore nods, grinning like only a drugged fool can "Its soooooo much better that way love. Everything is better on the powder, you know that." again she advances on him, ovesexualizing the move.

"And it makes it impossible to tell if your dying from over-indulging, or if you simply took more than your nose can hold in one snort." he clips back at her, more the man you know, in his voice at least, his casual cloths and body language still perfectly matching the venue.

The bartender looks at Cornelius quizically "Why'd ya come back then?"

Cornelius sighs "Tonight I was gonna bring my Commander here, celebrate before he gets married. But after what he told me... I needed to be somewhere else, old friends are better for some things than family."

"FAMILY??" one of the patrons shouts "Con got married?"

"I betcha shes rich, our Con would never hit anything less than nobility if'e settled down." another one quips. Cornelius shifts uncomfortably as his old friends begin to go back and forth on what they think his supposed new wife is like, and how much gold hes getting from her. You think you hear him mumble something about just needing a damned drink. And you cant help but notice that, aside from the petty thieves, drug addicts, and location, this tavern has a better selection of alcohol than most of those in the better off districts of DragonsReach, its tables are larger, its private booths more private and larger, and the tender clearly more friendly.

>>15325010
Are we still sneaking up on him? Go sit down next to him and Aurelius and see how he's taking the news.

>>15325024
Might as well. I think Justinian could use another drink as well at this point. Cornelius did say he would prefer to be just with old friends but he did bring Aurelius along so I guess intruding here wouldn't be too bad.

>>15325010
Perhaps we should start sampling the alcohol a bit? Make it seem as if we just came out here because we needed a drink? Honestly, I can see Justinian needing one right now, and there's the
>old friends are better for some things than family
Cornelius just said.

>>15325010
Nonchalantly join in on speculating on the identity of his wife. I think we earned some "troll our subordinates" time here.

Also for next thread, think you guys we should just jump straight into talking to the gods? Seeing if any of them have messages for us and then talking to Raynha and Eago?

Oh, and our Lacerta life elementalist can probably remove Wulf's tattoos with the minimum amount of scaring. It's what we hired her for in the first place.

Nonchalantly, you make your way to the bar, and order three drinks, your favorite, as well as Cornelius and Aurelius. You find the back booth the pair had retreated to as the jibes die down, and slide the drinks to the two men, both of them looking more tired than they seem after battle. "Some things better with old friends than family?" you ask, taking a drink.

They both jump, but your posture, and casual nature ease them back to more relaxed postures almost immediately "Everyone at the barracks will be fuming at the Praetorian, and the other members of the Fists. Or pairing off, especially with how... pointed the fragility of our happy existence was just made to us." he takes a drink.

Aurelius does as well "I was just worried that you were headed off to fight, or do something stupid."

The musclebound ex con-man sighs again, before drinking and responding "If the first plan had been what our orders were, I dont know if I would have been able to cope with the guilt." again the three of you drink. The Silence at the table reigns for a while, before Cornelius again breaks the silence "But Wulf is one of us, and Daeseu too, right? They'll make it through with a few scars, and some new stories for the celebration after our next victory, right?"
>cont'd

When the silence stretches for too uncomfortably long after the first round of drinks is done, you take the initiative to break the gloomy silence "If you came to escape what you would be dealing with at the barracks, why is it that we are skulking back here? Tonight I'm runt, and we need to show these old friends of yours how we drink in the Legion." At that you push up from the booth, pull the other two men to their feet, and head over to the bar, thoroughly hoping that it works, and you can forget about what you just had to do for even a night.

>welp, I'm gonna call it here for the night
>someone archive please
>I'll be back Tuesday at 9pm server time
>if you have any setting/CQ questions just email me at [email protected]

I would've gone with cuff the pair right then and there.
Even in passing, discussion of this mission outside is expressly prohibited.

So we would've done that/hushed them from speaking of the subject immediately

>>15325257
And We're should also tell them to hold their drinks.
This is the darker side of town, and they know as well as we do that someone is after us.
We shouldn't get drunk.

>>15325239
>At that you push up from the booth, pull the other two men to their feet, and head over to the bar, thoroughly hoping that it works, and you can forget about what you just had to do for even a night.
Man, we suck. We should be throwing our every effort at making sure that Wulf has every edge we can give him in the coming mission, no matter how slight, not getting drunk and trying to ignore how dangerous it is. That's unproductive idiocy.

We could be chatting up the gods and cutting deals to get our people some serious divine protective mojo, instead of this. I bet a good sacrifice to Garagush could bring them strength and fortune on the battlefield, and Jogra and Nyetini to bring our friends and lovers back home safe.

It's a tad ironic, but where I'm not willing to bend and sacrifice to the gods to enhance our own prowess, I'm more than willing to do so when we can't be there and it's one of our friends on the line, just because it's the best help that we can offer him. That's how they get you, I guess.

>>15325307
dude, there's no way lena is letting him out of her sight/bedroom until she absolutely has to