No extra questions here

let's move on, then, shall we?

This Post Intentionally Left Blank.

>>16286941
One last question: Was Wulf planning on moving toward the Ironcoast lords, or anywhere in our projected combat theater? We may be able to stage an extraction if so.

You nod "No, aside from whether you know where the boy will be headed next, I have no more questions about what occurred in Uurlanth. You may move on."

Daesue pauses to think before he replies "I know that Wulf would likely be called to TruthsHaven due to his connection to an attempt on a noble house, but that would have been seen to some time ago. It is safe to assume that he is attempting to make his way home again by now. As to my network, it has been set up, and is working healthily. I currently am attempting to loacate any members of the cult we have been dealing with, as well as the McClanson/Reshkai criminal organiazation. Some small amounts of progress have been made with both endeavors. Which would you like to hear first?"

>>16287189
"Let's start with the Forge of New Divinity. What have you been able to find?"

We might want to have Daeseu work with our ex-Imperial internal security agents for ferreting out cultists and evidence against the 3rd Praetorian.

>>16287189
"The cult is notoriously hard to find leads on, so start with McClanson and Reshkai."

When he's done talking, add in "I had a paranoid thought, but it may be worth looking into. Do you think there is any possibility the Third Praetorian could be working with those two?"

>>16287230
>>16287240
>tiebreaker please?

>>16287341
What does it matter? We're getting both reports. Waiting for input at all was pretty much unnecessary before writing in this case.

The cult first, if you insist.

>>16287189
Cult first, its more important, I think.

Also,we should mention that we have two of Lady Hernanda's assassin Shadowguard in our custody to Daseau. He's from the region and could give us some information on how they operate.

You shrug "The Forge of New Divinity is incredibly hard to find any information on, so why dont you start with them." you reply, wishing you had some water to drink at the table.

Daeseu smirks "It may not be much right now, but I believe that I have three seperate members of three seperate 'chaos' cells, as I have dubbed them loacated. I am currently setting my agents to discover the other members of the cells."

"chaos cells?" you ask, confused.

Daeseu shrugs "The name seemed apt, as their purpose, as far as I can tell, is to sow chaos and dissent across the nation. There may not be much information to glean from them, but anything to couter their efforts is worth doing, I believe."

YOu nod "and our fallen noble friend and his criminal accomplice?"

Daeseu chuckles "Fled to the undercity of Flumenos, abandoning the bulk of the Reshkai family to face justice. Luckily for them, they were simply beggared, not exiled."

A new voice resounds across the nearly dark dining hall "There is an undercity in Flumenos?"

Chuckling Daeseu shoots back "The barracks by the docks arent corrupt and crime-ridden Aurelius."

"But that is in the deepest part of the city. If anything it is the gold and crimson heart of the black, decrepit, amoral city." Aurelius replies, clearly a bit drunk, and quite happy.

>>16287477
I'm beginning to understand why Lamynus wanted a pair of churches in Flumenos.

>>16287477
Ugh. Flumenos. And we need to have heavy dealings with that city, to erect that temple for Lamynus. Well, maybe we can use her temple as a base of operations, as seedy as it would be.

Has Daeseu come across any links between the cult and the Praetor of the Imperial Excolo?

>>16287536

no shit.

>>16287477

"Was there anything else of note you have discovered?"

Also we need to find him a good set of undershirt mail. Tell him and get an idea of his needs for it.

You groan "Not only will I be going to the bastards new home city, but I will have business to do there as well. Have you learned anything else of that particular pair, or of note?"

Daeseu shrugs "They did a good job of hiding their tracks. My network could possibly expand if you wanted me to begin operating in Flumenos as well."

Aurelius laughs "You wouldnt even have to be stealthy about it. Flumenos is one of the only cities wehre killings and theft goes almost unchecked by the Empire."

"Unless you forget to pay off the Guards that find out, the local Excolo, and whatever other political figures decide you owe them dilver." Daeseu retorts smoothly.

You sigh "Aurelius, while your up, bring me some water." you turn to face the elf across from you "Speaking of the Excolo, have you connected any of the Forge agents to the Praetor Internus?"

Daesue nods "Indeed I have. Two of my leads are low level scribes in her offices. I am hoping that they will lead me further into her agency, but with their taste in whores I do not know how long they will last."

You cock an eyebrow as Aurelius hands you a cup of water before stumbling back towards his room with two more "How do you know, and what does that matter?"

The elf laughs "My informants on them were whores I pay to pay attention to who plows them, at some rather cheap brothels I must admit. Now, the expansion of your network Justinian, do you wish for it?"

>>16287752
"It will take time, but it's worth doing. How much palm grease will you need to get things moving?"

>>16287752

"As long as the risk of infiltration is not too great. You have leave to expand as long as it does not put the network at risk.

Why would your informants not last long? Seems to me they're probably able to report on them indefinitely."

>>16287752
"Of course. Can't fight an enemy I can't find, and I can ill afford to be blindsided and outmaneuvered in these matters. While you're at it, sooner or later I'll need to start tracking down people with arcane talents who haven't reported them- we need to recruit all we can, particularly mystics. I know chasing down rumors is kind of hellish, but if you can keep an eye out and ensure that my recruiters get accurate information about where to find people, I would appreciate it. And while we can ill afford to focus arcane talent away from the legions at the moment, sooner or later I'll want to supplement my networks with that as well- so start thinking about what would be useful. I should be able to make arrangements once the war dies down."

>>16287812
>>16287805
Pretty much agreed to let him expand our network.
I'm curious: do their tastes in whores tend toward the exotic, or what?

Just want to post this incase anyone else want to go for it:
<TRO> So, I had an idea about Kyria's steam crossbows.
<TRO> Once she gets down the right runic phrases, have the runes be on modular plates, so that they could be switched out for varying effects based on the expected circumstances.
<TRO> Like have one that makes a deafening boom where the bolt strikes, ones that freeze shit, or just the standard mage-killer ammo.

>>16287752
"I believe it will be needed regardless of my wishes."

... I wonder if converting one of twins might aid in this little shadow war that is brewing...

"Would one of Lady [Hernanda?]'s shadow guard be able to assist you in these works, if they could be turned to our side?"

also, get his opinion on where those twins' skills might be on a scale of 1-Daeseu.

You nod "Feel free to expand the network as needed. How much gold would be needed to seed the new cities network?"

Daeseu ponders for a while before replying "500 Dragoons would be more than plenty to that end."

You nod "Very good. Now, I recently acquired a pair of assassins from Alicia Henrandas Shadow Guard. Provided they can be turned, do you think they would be of use?"

Daeseu perks up "Most certainly. though, unless they have realized that none leave a Hernandas ShadowGuard yet, and provided they are not imbeciles, they will be quite unturnable. Failing thier conversion, one or two of the retired Excolo agents that have been coming to Janos would be just as good for the networks expansion. I will need to re-train them to a certain extent of course, but there are more than a few disgruntled young agents in your pool that I could pluck for my own use. With your permission of course."

>>16287998
"Hmm. They seemed aware of what happens to those who try to leave the ShadowGuard.
"Choose from amongst the Excolo agents, then. Probably better, too, as they won't stick out of as much, being native Degnarians."

>>16287998

"Take a 1000. It is good to have some more funds on the side should you need them urgently.

Do as you see best, Daeseu. I intend to set up a school for war orphans. Part of their intake will no doubt include young street urchins.

While this will prepare the children for gainful employment and service with Dengar, it is also a good place to eventually source for new agents for your network."

>>16287998
Turning the twins would take a while most likely.

We could come up to their cell one day after we visit the archives and inquire (after searching for more info on her) why so few of her assassins leave her service and retire. She does have a habit of killing those who leave her service right?

We should use the Excolo agents for now

>>16288068
good with both of these.

>>16287998
Bring up the matter of scouting for arcane people as mentioned in >>16287855. None of our other assets are likely to get as widespread an information input as Daeseu is, and as someone shooting for Seventh every arcane talent that we can seize and put under our control is a great thing. More to the point, every arcane talent that remains outside our control is a potential recruit for someone interested in building a rival power base and challenging our authority. We can't afford to let any arcanists fly under the radar if we don't have to.

Nodding slowly you reply "1000 dragoons will be your purse then. And select your seed agents from our inbound former Excolo agents. I fear that it will take me quite a while to turn our Uurlanthi assassins."

Daeseu smiles "Thank you, commander, I will see tot he expansion of your network by the end of the week."

You grin ever so slightly "So long as you dont get yourself injured again. You should get your measurements to a smith. I acquired enough mithia on my last campaign to buy you a mail undershirt."

Daeseu returns your smile "I had not expected to be so... rewarded for failing to be a continuing help to Wulf... though with what I taught him before and during his mission he is more than capable now. Did you have any other business with me, commander?" he asks, as he finishes the water that had been sitting on the table in front of him.

>>16288196

"failing? Your actions protected Wulf, my friend. I'd call your mission a success, Daeseu."

>>16288196
"I probably don't have to tell you this, but if you find any budding elementalists, send them to my Academy. 1 more in my school is one less out in the wild and potentially used by my enemies. If you should come across any detection arcana, consider it an operational expense and acquire it; I will have Janos release additional funds if you require them."

I think that's it for now.

>>16288230
>>16288235
These are good.

You chuckle, rising as you finish your water "Aside from reminding you that any arcanists you come across are to be sent to my academy if at all possible, no."

Daeseu rises "Very well then commander, thank you again for your excessive generosity."

You reach out to clasp the elf on his shoulder "Nonsense, you kept Wulf safe, risking your own life for his. I would a be a tyrant and unfit for command if I did not reward such service and devotion to ones mission and comrades." At that the two of you part ways, both presumably headed to your rooms to sleep. For you, sliding into the oversize bed without waking anyone is considerably easier than the oversize cot, but it is still a small wonder that you managed to accomplish the feat. A content smirk on your lips, you slip into sleep.

>co, anything you want to work on immediately, or do you want to skip ahead until something of note happens?

Get Kyria's thoughts on MODULAR CROSSBOWS OF FUCK YOU when she's next available.

>>16288401
We need to talk to Bellatrix and Lena about putting together a formalized training program for an arcanist bodyguard specialist position, and with Kyria about what kind of runic options we have for outfitting such people. We talked about that but didn't really do anything to make it happen other than say "they'll need bodyguards".

Similarly, I'm not sure what we've done if anything as far as developing our mage-hunter units. Check up on that.

>>16288436
second

>>16288436
thirded

We should also think about creating a formal training program for irregular/guerrilla units like Blackbirds unit. It would help insure a fresh supply of soldiers to Blackbirds unit and would make it easier to train our colleagues forces if they request training.

>>16288529
True. It would also be worthwhile to consider how we might integrate arcanists into our irregulars- I bet Blackbird could do terrifying things with a few competent arcanists, and would have tons of genius sadistic ideas for how to apply their powers. But taking them out of standard training at this point would probably be inappropriate... perhaps make that an alternate career path after they've gone through at least one operation normally and we know they won't blow themselves up.

>>16288583
Making it specialist training after basic arcanist/elementalist training sounds logical.

>>16288583
Sounds good.

Also, we should check in with the werebeast penal unit, see if any of them are ready to be released.
Which leads into coming up with a screening process to identify those infected with the disease.
The Were-minotaurs are now active, and the other were-beasts will be cropping up again soon. Best to be prepared.

>>16288614
sounds good

The next morning starts slowly, as is common for the days not on the front. you spend the first portion of the day loitering about the barracks, giving your spear, and armor a much more through cleaning and oiling than you have time for in the field. you consider polishing your shield, but it has been nearly melted too many times, almost cleaved in twain one time too many, perhaps even used to bash in one too many heads, so you let the faithful sheet of steel rest against a wall while you care for the rest of your gear. By midday you are at your academy as the classes break for a midday meal. you find Lena eating with Catalina and Sansa, Bellatrix off on her own drilling with the former excolo guards, and Kyria eating with Laelith. You assemble all of them to begin another brief meeting. "Ladies, there are several projects that I feel I need to discuss with you. Namely, a program for bodyguards for the mages in training, and the formation of an arcanist hunting unit."

the girls look at each other for a bit, before Bellatrix responds "If you can provide me with recruits I may be able to train more guards, but my stance and style will not be easy to learn."

Sansa chuckles "Imagine the difficulty that others would have learning to fight like me then. I am glad that the task will not fall to me."

Bellatrix shakes her head "Suicidal abandon and luck cannot be taught. And I shudder to think of the results of that being attempted."

It is clearly a joke, but Kyria rises to defend Sansa "The highest levels of skill look like naught but luck and madness to the less skilled." Bellatrix shoots the dwarf a sour face as Kyria smirks and continues "I have the phrases for repeaters, steambows, and shields, but they will need some tweaking for melee weapons and armor. If you know what sort of armor you would like to use for said units I could begin work today... though most forms of mail would be... prohibitively time-consuming for most runewrights."
>cont'd

Lena shrugs "It would be a small matter to work firing around a bodyguard into my classes training regimen at this point. though, for the enhancement focused mages, more guards may be prudent, as they would serve poorly as field artillery."

Bellatrix nods "and it would be far easier to train the guards for such mages, as they will be able to focus more on aggression than defense. Defending indeterminately can be... difficult."

What do you think guys? Lorica or breastplate and helm for the bodyguards?

Cause I'm thinking breastplate. Decent protection while keeping mobility.

"Kyria, since the steam-powered crossbows' ammunition uses runes of transferrence to work, do you think it would be at all possible to make modular parts for the crossbows to give them different effects from battle to battle?

>>16288676
>>16288689
Would they prefer legionaires with a bit of experience or new recruits for the body guard position?

did we ever get Kyria working on getting those "fire" runes turned into incendiary grenade/bombs? or putting them onto our valk's iron rain arrows?

>>16288828
the melty ones were her idea, so I'm assuming yes.

>>16288782
Head and chest are the most important places to protect. Legs and arms a close second. It sounds like mobility will be more of a benefit for that role.

>>16288676
>>16288689

I assume she would have to inscribe the runic phrases on EVERY scale in scale mail? In that case it would be logical to have full plate with breastplate be the standard for the bodyguards.

>>16288828
I believe she is working on it, but we should check on the progress for good measure.

>>16288689
Bodyguarding isn't just a matter of combat training, although that's important. We need basically all our mages to have guards full-time whenever they're on campaign, even when there's no battle on- because mages will be prime assassination targets. They'll need training/protection against mystics if possible, too; mystic assassins are going to be the stuff of nightmares. And ideally bodyguards will also receive basic education in what the various types of arcanists can do so that they can provide their mage with relevant tactical advice and accurately identify threats.

Equipment-wise, they need at minimum shields that can block basic magic, or they'll die way too easy. Armor for the same would be a good next thing if we can get enough of it made, and mage-killer weapons wouldn't be out of line either.

>>16288782
Breastplates are good, but if they can only protect the torso from a magical blast then they're not going to be overly helpful- we don't need hunters or bodyguards getting their legs and arms charred off. Full-body protection from magical threats is needed, since so many magical attacks are wide-area.

>>16288783
Got to mix it up. Experience is valuable, but at the same time we need people with fresh minds who will immediately get used to new methods.

>>16288782
I'm thinking lorica, just for logistical sake.

Also seconding asking about modular runes.

>>16288873
I mean, OBVIOUSLY, shields, too, but just talking armor, breastplate and helm.

Whatever happened to the were-people?

Perhaps we can raid the prisons for prospective people to 'volunteer' themselves as subjects to be changed.

Shit, you know, maybe we could get the mage-hunters shields like this?

Once we are done with the specifics of the bodyguards we should visit the were-minotaurs and the son of that traitor.

>>16289032
I don't know...I was actually envisioning the bodyguards' shields as disposable types. The magic-absorption and nullification runes would cause the shields to melt or become unusuable during battle. We know that the runes can only absorb so much arcane energy before burning out. The guards need to consider that as well as defending against mundane threats.

But then again, big tower shields would help in defending against enemy arrow volleys.

>>16289032

Hmm, since we've actually seen a mage blast vapourise an entire block, shields which encourage them to stay in one location and take pot shots doesnt seem like a good idea.

Ideally, I think it should be a small angled shield for them to be fast and agile, yet catch or deflect strikes should they connect.

>>16289097
So, more SPARTAAA than my shield image?

>>16289111

Something like that. Angled and layered with antu-magic runes.

You scratch at your chin before replying "What would you ladies say to a breastblate and shield enscribed with magic negating runes, scalewail for the rest, left mundane. The weapons on the bodyguards _could_ be magic-negating but that would not be necessary. Aside from combat training, the guards would need to be able to protect the mages from assassination or abduction off the field, as they will be high priority targets. they could be drawn from both raw recruits, and legionary soldiers, to provide a good mix between existing knowledge and potential until the force is better established."

Kyria nods "I can do that quite easily."

smiling Sansa adds "I could handle the bodyguard duty training. fighting an assassin is much different than a soldier, and I have experience with both. As well as experience with handling the boredom when no challenge appears for a long time."

Lena sighs, and you cuhuckle, before asking "Kyria, do you think it would be possible to set repeaters and steambows to have interchangeable runic phrases inscribed on them? Then mage-hunters would be useful even when no enemy arcanists are present."

the dwarf nods "I may e able to do that. It might take some time, but it would be doable."

Still chuckling Sansa adds "The question with the mage-hunters is where to recruit from, who will train them, and how they will be trained to fight."

>>16289149
Recruit from Scouts and Rangers (for ranged weapons training), cross-train with Aurelius (accuracy) and Blackbird (camouflage and sneaking), and trained to stay out of the general fighting and sneak around the edges of the battlefield in pairs or groups of 4, and take down enemy officers and mages at their discretion. Basically Marine Force Recon snipers.

>>16289187
second

>>16289187
this sounds good to me

We should visit the were-minotaurs and check on their current condition as well our other "guest".

>>16289149
Mage hunter captains NEED to have experience in fighting various forms of arcanist as well as possess an amount of offensive elementalism. For the first couple rounds of picking, at least. The vets teach their squads how to deal with shit.

>>16289242
It would be easy to pick some useful recruits out of the broken units in the city like we did with the Loukys unit.

>>16289224
I agree.
Any ideas on werebeast integration with our maniple?
We used them on a suicide attack back at Northmont, but that was only because they were death row criminal volunteers. If we get more recruits simply because they're werebeasts, how should we deploy them?
Specialist combat teams specializing in night operations is the only thing I can think of, since their were-form is only activated by the moon.

Pax, could you refresh my memory: after the initial awakening of an Infected's were-form, will they turn whenever there's a full moon, or can they control their transformation so they can do it at will? I remember one of the survivors of our were-beasts transformed into a halfway shape even though it wasn't night due to him meditating and trying to control his shape.

>>16289270
Well, it we want to create more of them from those that are to be executed for their crimes we should have Autronius screen them first. There must be a great many that would prefer this to death and are mentally stable. We should also have Autronius scan the ones we currently have.

As to how to deploy them we could attach some of them to Blackbirds unit or group them into independent guerrilla squads.

>>16289270
I see them as a breaking unit. They go in to break the enemy's formation, moral and body.

>>16289328
We got away with doing it to prisoners slated to be executed in Northmont, but I don't know if we can here in the capital. I mean, yeah, it's their choice, but we might get dinged on it like we did with those volunteers way back after our first campaign. We're on everyone's political radars now, so we have to keep that in mind.

>>16289387
a good point

>>16289359
An assault group to break enemy formations?
Could work with the were-minotaurs and the werewolves, but I don't know about the were-spiders.
Which reminds me, we need to get some scholars on-staff to begin looking through old records on what kinds of were-beasts are going to start cropping up, how to detect them, and when they activate (we know that the were-minotaurs activate when exposed to the Taurus Moon).

>>16289414
We might as well hire a group of full time scholars and and copiers. In fact lets do that we will need our own library on our new fort.

>>16289463
We should probably make a sealed off part of said library only accessable with earth elementalism for the more sensitive materials. Last thing I want is some newbie stumbling into the necromancy tomes.

>>16289463
Come to think of it...we should probably begin making copies of all of the training tomes we've found thus far; as more and more magic returns and it becomes impossible to hide, copies of training manuals will become a hot commodity and a good source of income.

>>16289187
I can agree with this for the most part but I think they should get some melee training and if I remember correctly, those units aren't super great in melee. There are times where cutting their way through the enemy might be required to reach the enemy mages. Either they're going to have to do it solo or tag along with another unit to punch through I guess.

>>16289516
I kind of dislike this idea simply because I thought the point of the academy was to make that part of our powerbase in the sense that Justinian would be the guy to go to for elementalists. Gives us more political pull if the only REAL training systems that exist are under our control and known by us mostly.

Still catching up with thread. Just wanted to put up my ideas again:

1. Field medicae corp: Take legion rejects, poor plebs, older orphans, anyone else on the fringe of society that the Degnar Empire considers expendable, and put them to work rescuing wounded soldiers on the battlefield.

Young widows might also want to sign up to get themselves another husband.

Pros: decreases force attrition / casualties
increases morale
first aid / triage / tourniquets is easy to teach
more soldiers go home to sire more children
gives desperately poor people jobs
built-in on-site dating service

Cons: probably costs money

2. Parachutes

Pros: saves our elite air cavalry riders from certain death
increases morale
paratroopers

Cons: takes research effort
probably costs money

>>16289535

>Medic

Might not actually. What we need to do is to pitch it to the first. If he likes it enough, the state will fund it.

Mil. contracts, man.

>Parachutes

I wonder about those cows... Degrain must be up to something.

You shrug "Recruit them from scouts and rangers, have Aurelius train them fro accuracy and Blackbird for infiltration and stealth. They will operate by sneaking about the edges of the battlefield and striking at enemy arcanists."

Catalina tilts her head "What if the battle is too large for that too work?"

Everyone turns to look at he quiet girl, who shrinks back as if struck, before Laelith calmly replies "Logic states that they would need to be capable of taking the field and charging enemy arcanists."

Sansa shakes her head "The training styles would be too different. Perhaps armor trained Lacerta and dwarves in full plate armor for the situations where precision targetting would be impossible or an unviable tactic."

Kyria butts in "Perhaps were-beasts as well? Once they achieve total control of their... curses, they can shift at will, not only with the corresponding moon to the one that awakens them."

Bellatrix laughs "I am certain that every blacksmith within a hundred miles just screamed out in terror, and does not know why, Kyria."

>>16289562
Hmm. Might be best to train the hunters in two styles like they're suggesting. The stealthy groups and the rip and tear groups. More annoying but it gives the hunters more options to take out targets. They're going to have to be well protected against magic though.

>>16289535
We need an idea on how much money we have left over and how much things might cost that we currently have planned to purchase. Such as temples and other investments like mines and crap before we start funding something like the medic's. If we have the cash, it'd be worthwhile looking in to.

In terms of the parachutes, I'm fine with that idea but Degrian is busy making the upgrades to the heavy repeaters I believe for our naval combat.

Also, I think we might want to invest in another personal unit or two. Infantry this time perhaps. Our infantry line always seems stretched to the max with no back up units to support the flanks.

>>16289562
"Give them a challenge! 'Let's see just how huge I can make this maul'"

>>16289614
Gives*

>>16289589
seconded and then let's go visit the werebulls and the orphan

>>16289543
Is that a second?

All the ideas mentioned so far sounds good to me. Except that we do not have permission to publish/spread most of our tech to the rest of the Legion.

>>16289606
>>16289589
Hmm...without the extreme range that modern sniper rifles offer, I can see the point of having a melee contingent with the hunters. The bigger the battlefield, the more spread out the enemy would be, and so the thinner his screening force. But they do have velociprey cavalry that could track down mage hunter units during a battle, and lacertans or dwarves would be needed.

I just wish we could develop a gun that allows snipers to fire on mages from so far away as to effectively be off of the battlefield and unassailable.

As for checking our funding, I agree. If we have the money, we should get our own personal field medic corps if we can't convince the Praetor to fund it, and a personal merc infantry unit to go with our Skywings.

>>16289562
Melee anti-mage units are a good idea too. They could train under Collin and another mage. Lacerta would be excellent.

We could also see if there are any exceptional soldiers in the academy battles that we could recruit for the were-beast program. For armor we could just have them dress orversized in chain mail that would fit when they transform.

>>16289606
Field medicae corp should be fairly cheap to set up. And maybe we can indeed get the Praetorian Militant to pay the bill.

As for parachutes, maybe we should just hire a seamstress and get her and our Skywings captain to figure it out themselves. They can experiment with dolls / mannequins before moving on to livestock. We don't need Degrian for this.

>>16289697
Maximum effective range on our crossbows/bows are a few hundred yards. That's pretty good.

>>16289722
Accuracy and getting a clear shot it the problem though. Especially if the enemy mages are in the middle of their army and have units in front of them. To be fair, the long range crossbows we had Degrian made should help but we can't rely on sniping unfortunately.

>>16289689
>Except that we do not have permission to publish/spread most of our tech to the rest of the Legion.
Actually, we should ask about this.
With the war possibly entering a critical stage, and the Ironcoast Lords being the last Uurlanthi pro-war holdouts, maybe now we can disseminate some of our other technologies? At the very least, to the other three commanders that we'll be working with on the siege we're being sent to.

>>16289751
We can always check with the Praetorian Militant while we're in the city. Sure.

As I recall our current orders are:
* Do not give the auto-wagons to anybody. Lending them during missions is fine. I guess this is because we're royally screwed if Uurlanthi raiding forces can copy this technology.

* Other techs should be kept within the Fists.

* All runes should use transference runes to prevent copying.

>>16289818
Well, since the other commanders are now all part of the same fist as us, we can share runesmithing and repeater technology. Since this is a siege, though, I don't know if autowagons will be that useful. Maybe when moving from the port, to where we will take up the siege, but we'd have to outfit everyone with autowagons and I don't know if we have that much engineering capacity.
Runes, repeater crossbows, steambows, and heavy cycle repeaters might be all we'll need.

You nod, shuddering at the though of a Lacerta in magic-proof platemail as much as the thought of a minotaur simalairly armored. "Very good suggestions, the melee contingent of mage-hunters can be trained for combat by Collin, and armor trained by Uurist if necessary." you look about, and see the classes beginning to reform "Now however, it would seem that most of you have duties for the academy to see to, so I will leave you too them." and at that, you stand from your seat, pushing the remnants of your meal back, and make your way to the interior of the academy. You descend to the secure cells, wehre you quickly notice that none of the cells are locked, and the door that leads into Restans room is open and the chamber unnocupied. Shruging you nock on the door to one of the Were-minotuars before entering and asking "How goes your progress?"

the dwarf stands from his meditative stance, and, as he does so, shifts into a minotaur "I am the least focused of us." he informs you in his bestial form, before shifting back into his dwarf form and throwing a loose robe abound his body. "Would you like me to collect the others?" he asks, respectfully.

>>16289958
"Color me impressed. I knew I was right to have faith in you. Go ahead and gather the others. I'd like to make the announcement while you're all present."

>>16289958
Yes, please. Ask for volunteers for the mage-hunter unit. Those who don't want such a risky job can be bodyguards, I guess?

>>16289987
We could also give some of them the option of teaching other who are infected how to control themselves.

I am not sure we should have them as bodyguards, as some of them might revert to their criminal tenancies.

>>16290007
>>16289987
>>16289969
We did promise them their freedom if they can control themselves while transformed.
We can offer them a job, of course, but on our honor if they want to leave, we have to let them.

Of course, if any one of them ever commits a crime again, it'll be a long walk and a short drop for them.

>>16290062
Very true. We should make the offer extra temting.

>>16290091
something like "I know one or two of you have a taste for blood, so why not join my maniple and get paid to do what you love?"

You nod "Yes, I have an announcement I would like to make to all of you."

The dwarf nods and trots off. A few minutes alter, all of the survivors are standing at a rather sloppy attention in a line before you. When you motion for them to be at ease, teh line immediately desintigrates to a somewhat rodered group of killers. "You called for us?" the man who seemed to be entirely to comfortable with killing asks.

You sigh, and reply "I did. As all of you have control of your powers, you are, free to go if you so choose, as per our agreement. However, I can again offer you employment. Either teaching future were-creatures to controll their curses... or in a unit of arcanist hunters that I am forming. Both positions will pay well, and with both you will be provided with personal quarters at my academy, which will be the headquarters of the Loukys hunting, and arcanist-hunting units once it is moved to its final loacation."

After several minutes of talking amongst themselves, and thinking quietly, all but the dwarf who had vomited the night after their initial mission as were-minotaurs, volunteer for the mage-hunters. The dwarf opts instead to serve as a teacher at your academy for any additional were-beasts brought in. You inform the men to speak with Esthriya about their housing, and leave them to talk amongst themselves.

Outside you see the classes continuing as usual. Lena personally tutoring the son of the traitor, Restan, while her class continues to spar and practice competently behind her. Sighing contentedly, you contemplate interrupting the girl for the second day in a row, or whether you should simply go back to the barracks and enjoy this time of rest.

>>16290114
Actually, as much as rest sounds good, we should get started on that group of scholars and scribes, ones with security clearance to enter the Imperial Archives, and have them research the old methods on detecting were-beasts, and what kind of beasts are going to start appearing.
Janos can probably handle that, with Laelith assisting if she has time.

Other than that, perhaps we should try to get an appointment with our Praetorian and put forth the field medicae proposal to him. See if he'll foot the bill for a test unit in our upcoming campaign, or at least, help us with the bill.

>>16290114
What do you guys say, have a chat with the kid?

>>16290183

Sounds good.

>>16290184

Not sure if it's time for us to show our face again. Might need to give him abit more time.

>>16290183
Sounds good to me.

>>16290184
I think we should give him more time. And we can ask Lena at the end of the day how he's handling things before we talk with him.
We should find out what his personality is now, before talking with him again.

>>16290183
Aye to this. We need general research assistants for when Laelith is on campaign with us.

Maybe our elementalists in training can do this for extra credit?

Nay to talking to Restan just yet. Maybe next time we are in DragonsReach. Talk to Lena after the lesson is over to get more intel on the kid.

>>16290226
this

Later that night, you find yourself riding home, Laelith on your lap "Laelith, what would you think about some aids for your archive and tome copying and compilation work?" you ask the elf lazily as Spite plods on towards the city.

She smirks "As much as I enjoy searching the archives with you, the help would be appreciated for when it is just I."

You nod, as you shift a hand from the elfs waist to block the sun from flowing into your left eye, as the sunset leaves it on the perfect level to make seeing difficult and painful "How much do you think you would need to establish such a group for our maniple?" you ask her.

She turns to face you "Perhaps 750 dragoons for a team of ten to search and ten to copy, compile and improve upon what we find." is her relaxed response.

>so, anything else you want to take care of before timeskipping to the next interesting occurrence? (as far as talking to the First, you'll see him at your wedding so that isnt really a necessity.)

>>16290345
Sounds good to me. Timeskip HO!

>>16290345
That sounds like a reasonable price to me. Lets go for it.

>>16290345
Bringing up business at a wedding doesn't seem like good form, though. At least, when we're the groom.

>>16290368
We could always send him a letter.

Still quite relaxed you reply "Then consider it done. You will have the funds on the morrow, if you wish to start your archivist team immediately."

Laelith smiles, and, leaning back to kiss you replies "Thank you, love... but I seem to have worked up a bit of a sweat today. so the archivist team will cost you a bath as well."

Chuckling you return the elfs kiss before replying "I believe that that is a price I can pay." before wrapping your loose arm back around her waist, as the sun is no longer in your eyes, and continuing to ride.

-----CQ-----

Several days later, Janos calls you to his office. Inside he has the map of potential DragonKeeps set out again, as well as several sheets of parchment. "Justinain, the scouts I sent out to the potential DragonKeeps have returned and updated their estimates on costs for each keep. Once you are finsihed looking over the information gathered, I have a small flight of valkeries rented out, and will be able to train you and two companions to ride out with myself and Kaitlyn to inspect the keeps if you so choose." at that, he slides the four sheets of parchment to you, and patiently waits as you read them.
>cont'd

A: Gryphon nests and Aurachnospecs lairs nearby. Most tunenl exits are closely watched by sabercats. very few resources in the area of any note.
Repair Cost: 70000
Venture seed: Steeds/beasts:500

B: Most tunnels serviceable and lead to easily salvageable watchposts, abandoned mines, or other abandoned dragonkeeps. Excellent crop of fish, including several rare species found at that point of the boreodoth river. Possible mountain logging and mining operations made easier through use of the river for transit. Pegasus and Uursan nests and lairs common, fewer Gryphons and Valkeries, but not unheard of in the area.
Repair cost: 30000
Venture seed: mines: 14000
logging: 9000
steeds/beasts: 750
Fishery: 5000

C: Most servicable tunnels dump out into wilderness. most nearby mines still active. High ammounts of road traffic make supply purchase easy. Exellent possible for larger temple to Eago, or an inn or pub. Large population of Tundra Badgers as well as severa species of shrew and mole, both carniverous and rock-eating.
Repair cost: 45000
Venture seed: Inn: 2000
beasts: 250
mine (invest): 8000-14000

D: The existing tunnels exit into vilalges, and are very well kept. A popular destination for local youths, and near many aboandoned mines. Most of the local villages are quite poor, and food is difficult to come by. Some forests in the area, as well as a large population of Valkeries and horses.
Repair cost: 55000
Venture seed: Inn: 2500
mines: 14000
beasts/steeds: 600
logging: 9500

>>16290456
Still voting for C.

While inspecting, we can build up crude fortifications for the tunnel exits with our earth elementalism.

>forgott to add to each keep what the revised property purchase would be for each keep
>a: 20000
>b: 40000
>c: 60000
>d: 50000

Keep B

gets my vote

B sounds like we'd be able to do more with the place. Plus I like it's position at the top of the river.

>>16290450
>>16290456
Ok, with this report, A is out the window and D is probably better as a branch of our hopefully several schools in the future.

On to the meat of the report, B and C are pretty much what we want. B is better as a stronghold, with better security and an abundant supply of food. Its also cheaper.

However, C is a better place to place a school due to the reasons I wrote a few threads before. You know something guys, if we were losing the war, I'd go for B, but since we have the advantage, I'm going for C.

tl;dr: C +1 vote

>>16290502

B sounds best to me.

Plenty of money making opportunities. Plenty of excape routes. Pegasus, Uursan, Gryphons and Valkeries nearby sound perfect if we ever want to capture more breeding stock.

We can always buy the others later if we want.

>>16290456

A and D are quite out of the running.

Thing is, do we want a strategic location to control or a out of the way place with CASH and the ability to capture airborne mounts?

Also:
A: Few hrs Air travel, less than 1/2 a week on foot

B: Hard Day's ride on valk, 1 week on foot

C: 1 day's flight 2-3 more days on foot compared to B

D: Same as A

Travelling times to the Capital if i read correctly.

>>16290456

Voting for C.

Verry well, with Keep B in the lead, I vote we take Sansa and Jayne with us along for the ride.

We should visit the keep. See if Sansa and Jayne want to go, as they aren't teaching at the academy right now.

Well looks like B it is.

I guess we should bring Jayne and Sansa. Since Catelina is basically a child, could we bring her along as well? heh.

I say B

>>16290608
>she's really more of a particularly petite girl (about Lenas size) but sure

You spend quite a while looking over the map and information, before replying "The Keep at the head of the Boreodoth looks to be the best choice. And yes, I would very much enjoy a trip to inspect the place. I believe that you will be teaching myself, Jayne and Sansa how to ride Valkeries... and Catalina how to properly be carried by a rider, if she is not too large."

Janos thinks for a while before replying "She should not be too much extra weight, considering that she barely looks to be of age, let alone her age. We can leave by morning the day after tomorrow, if the training starts today. I would gather up your ladies if I were you."

Smiling you reply "I will have them in the main yard once we have all eaten."

>well, I think this is as good a place as any to call it for the night.
>someone archive please
>I'll be back Sunday at 9pm server time (I got school shit thursday night unfortunately)
>if you have any setting/CQ questions just email me at [email protected]

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