August 2013/07/25(Thu)20:07 No. 527521 ID: ce9454
File 137480806251.png - (368.26KB , 930x630 , 991.png )

‘What shall we do for timber?

The last of the woods is down.

August 2013/07/25(Thu)20:08 No. 527522 ID: ce9454
File 137480813231.png - (585.78KB , 930x630 , 992.png )

Kilcash and house of its glory

and the bell of the house are gone;

August 2013/07/25(Thu)20:09 No. 527523 ID: ce9454
File 137480818071.png - (464.84KB , 930x630 , 993.png )

the spot where her lady waited

that shamed all women for grace

August 2013/07/25(Thu)20:11 No. 527524 ID: ce9454
File 137480826492.png - (411.44KB , 930x630 , 994.png )

when earls came sailing to meet her

and Mass was said in that place.

August 2013/07/25(Thu)20:12 No. 527525 ID: ce9454
File 137480833677.png - (512.55KB , 930x630 , 995.png )

My cross and my affliction

your gates are taken away,

August 2013/07/25(Thu)20:15 No. 527529 ID: ce9454
File 137480855336.png - (625.06KB , 930x630 , 996.png )

your avenue needs attention,

goats in the garden stray;

August 2013/07/25(Thu)20:16 No. 527530 ID: ce9454
File 137480861620.png - (387.00KB , 930x630 , 997.png )

‘your courtyard's filled with water

and the great earls where are they?’

August 2013/07/25(Thu)20:20 No. 527532 ID: ce9454
File 137480884086.png - (469.46KB , 930x630 , 998.png )

The earls, the lady, the people
beaten into the clay.

Yet who are we to saunter through,
to view this rubble grim?

to shake the head and dust our hands
of all who lived within.

Tonight, tomorrow, the next,
All we have left to wait.

Yet still I feel so unprepared, for


No. No, I don’t think that works… could rhyme in ‘fate’ of course, but that seems too obvious a schema. Really doubt Lucidia would be impressed with the obvious. Besides if this all turns out to be ‘Not Very Sirius’ it would seem childishly melodramatic in retrospect. Thought the poem I've found would be a decent enough summary for Nenetor’s plight since the ‘Night of the Wrathful Sea’ and dissolution of the Murmel Crown, perhaps a segue into some of my own embellishment and expansion but…

August 2013/07/25(Thu)20:21 No. 527533 ID: ce9454
File 137480889828.png - (524.95KB , 930x630 , 999.png )

I don’t know… feels like there are so many things we should be doing right now. Think I’ve finally figured out that wand; it acts as an alchemical catalyst or sympathic control; should be able to influence or activate alchemical creations, even from a distance. Aside from some minor experiments and this work on a letter for Lucidia (in case the worst should come to pass) I’ve not done much but sit around and let my back knit itself back together.

I suppose Kurtail and the rest have been training, hunting, or guarding the prisoner, but only Weldendon has more than a hint as to why we are really here.

Oh and the local mayor also sent us a rather curt if polite message wrapped around a bundle of fried fish that; ‘they didn’t remember inviting a bunch of foreigners to camp out in their ruin of a fortress.’

so we got any word on where the old man is yet or still just walking in the dark here hoping to stub our toes on something worth while?

Also plans... we got any? If not You should also try to train a bit as well, get to know the people you're working with better, keep your wits and senses sharp, be better prepared next time some kind of elven abomination tries to remove your head from your shoulders, that kind of thing.

recuperate and make sure that is actually what is happening with kurtail. something to break up the monotony

Prepare a biting retort. Something like, "if you didn't want someone to fix up the place maybe you should have taken better care of it."

Are you sure you have the right location? And the right time? Give us a bit of an update as to what you think we might be expecting, and when.

August 2013/08/16(Fri)18:52 No. 534970 ID: d9755f
File 137670433257.png - (560.16KB , 930x630 , 1000.png )

>>527570>>527570
"Baldrekgus, come along, best see what my brother is up to."

"Whatnow? was napping!"
"Nowww."

"Hokay, hokay, cando."

>>529895
Mmm, perhaps. Yes yes I think I'll deliver one later today in person when I mail off this letter. Yes, a nice stinging retort; they should be glad I'm visiting anyhow. Probably good for... tourist economics, or something. I really doubt the local nobility even notices this place excepting the occasional shipment of smoked fish. Royer family probably just stays inland to play at 'Peak Politics.'

August 2013/08/16(Fri)18:53 No. 534971 ID: d9755f
File 137670438647.png - (349.77KB , 930x630 , 1001.png )

>>527552
> so we got any word on where the old man is yet or still just walking in the dark here hoping to stub our toes on something worth while?

There's a reason I haven't bothered to clarify 'why' precisely we've decided to capture a criminal and instead of returning home have camped by the seaside in a ruined, foreign fortress. We still haven't heard an inkling from Sirius since that first 'vision' of which the general gist was; " From the Sea, Nenentor Cove in two weeks, and bring guuuuuunnnsss~'"

>>530083
Well, this is Nenentor Cove, and in about three days we'll either know what he meant, or not. Though, given the local history I'd rather not be present with such a paltry array of forces if this town should get rolled over by raiders, again.

August 2013/08/16(Fri)18:55 No. 534973 ID: d9755f
File 137670450901.png - (252.78KB , 930x630 , 1002.png )

I follow Kurtail's scent down the coastline a bit to find...

August 2013/08/16(Fri)18:56 No. 534975 ID: d9755f
File 137670456508.png - (380.08KB , 930x630 , 1003.png )

*CRACK*

August 2013/08/16(Fri)19:22 No. 534981 ID: d9755f
File 137670616616.png - (363.35KB , 930x630 , 1004.png )

The Iotis brothers, our pair of identical twins and riflemen. They are busy taking turns shooting old bricks, of which the locale provides aplenty and a kobold ambles from stump to stump setting up new ones. Kurtail's scent becomes muddied here, overtracked by several kobolds and the confusing twin trails left by the brothers.

"Ah, good morning."

"Noon sir. Yer up Telik."

”What brings you about?”

"Oh, just wandering about, letting my back warm in the sun, you two doing okay?"

”Yeah, okay. Could do with some more chewstic ah guess but it's not too bad.”

"Eh just between us sir, but we aren't plannen on occupying hereabouts are we? Ah mean, ah know we could use a port of our own 'n all but this is hardly local nor particularly contiguous with our territories like?"

"Sides it's a bit small 'n the gels all smell like fish."
*CRACK*

"Hah! Yer up."

"Cor, don't try me like that, you didn't hit nothen but green. Try again."

August 2013/08/16(Fri)19:29 No. 534985 ID: d9755f
File 137670656762.png - (375.79KB , 930x630 , 1005.png )

I sidestep their idle question with a concern of my own.
”You two didn't happen to see my young brother about did you? Little fellow? Obsession with large armaments? I was tracking him and... seem to have lost the trail.
"Yeah, he's back at basecamp, guarden the prisoner, or rather swimmen as likely as not."
"Dunno bout swimmen, he was who let me off guard duty an he seemed sorta outa sorts. Down n drawn in the face yeh know?"

Well then; we could stick around here try to further ingratiate ourselves with and rally the men, perhaps find whatever hole those lazy 'bolds have scurried away to nap out the noonday sun.

We could go see what fly is biting Kurtail's ear, maybe check in with our prisoner and take stock of the airship.

We could head on into town already and see what Sir Weldendon is getting up to... maybe mail this letter if we can put a finish to it.

or?

well the men seem board and truth be told we don't have a freaking clue what the hell is going on or even what we're going to do until we hear something so I say maybe ask if you could take a crack with the rifle to see if you could hit something (never hurts to practice) and maybe get a few tips if your aim needs a little work. Just talk with the men and see if you can't find some way relive some boredom. (maybe make a some bets on some trick shots if you have some spear cash and enough faith in your marksmen skills) then move on towards your brother and see what's biting him in the ass. While we're at it maybe do a quick round of everybody around the camp just to see where there spirits are at. (I mean if we're going to get into a fight soon it's always good to make sure moral is up) then once that's out of the way lets go see what Sir Weldendon is up to if we don't see him.

Go to Kurtail, see what's gnawing at him. Oh, and maybe bring a present of some sort? He did save your tail earlier with that sweet diving shot at the elf. Might want to keep an eye on him too for his abilities, considering how accurate he is.

Kurtail's probably just bored, doesn't seem the type to enjoy staying in one place unless there's a lot of activity. Remember how excited he got over the dragon bit? He did get to take part in some of the action when it came to the fae-thing, but he's probably just bored and frustrated, that floozie making eyes at him probably didn't help. It's probably nothing terribly important that's bothering him, is what I'm saying.

On the other hand, it might do some real good to get some face-time in with 'the troops,' considering that even within your family you're a bit of a black sheep. getting to know them better, maybe practicing some with the rifle to increase your proficiency there (and gain some thicker skin as you wordlessly bear their good-natured mockery), but most of all getting their loyalty. I'm not saying these guys aren't dutiful, but they've no real reason to die for you, so being friendly with them and showing that you're 'one of them' really can be a benefit. Don't isolate your efforts to these two, though. Be as chummy as you can with as many of them as you can. Once you finish the letter your kobold manservant can get it mailed. Probably.

BLIMEY BUT NICE SHOT THERE, EH CHAP?

Yep, go check on Kurtail.

Some town noise could do wonders. Let's get busy, seems like the way to go.

August 2013/09/25(Wed)19:21 No. 542106 ID: 12e584
File 138016208977.png - (396.78KB , 930x630 , 1004.png )

Thinking we should still go check on Kurtail, I don't want him getting himself into trouble.
>>534998
>his abilities
I lack the experience to tell if his accuracy is truly extraordinary; or simply the result of practice couple with natural talent.

Seems an unusual route for mystical talents to arise in my judgement, though as a relative I wonder what effect my focus, what 'you' could have on him? The efficacy of my own spellwork has increased manifold since-

Baldrekgus interrupts our ponderings with his own insight.
"Sirrah, it's wrong side."
"What! Oh, you mean the gate's on the other side?"
"Yeup. Yeup. Gotta walk 'round."
"Well hold on I can just jump that.
Baldrekgus steps back and eyes me suspiciously.
"I can!"
"Hokay sirrah, no argumenting I'll just-"

Animated August 2013/09/25(Wed)19:22 No. 542107 ID: 12e584
File 138016212753.gif - (724.57KB , 930x630 , 1005.gif )

"Wat? Wait!"
"Hold on"
Ignoring his panicky gestures I yank his thirty something kilos onto my back and lean into a jog.

August 2013/09/25(Wed)19:24 No. 542109 ID: 12e584
File 138016228236.png - (400.08KB , 930x630 , 1006.png )

As envisioned my leap neatly meets the level of the parapet... a meter short of my actual grasp.
"Gaaaaaahhhhhaaahhhh!"
"Awwwffffuusssss"

August 2013/09/25(Wed)19:25 No. 542110 ID: 12e584
File 138016234928.png - (403.65KB , 930x630 , 1007.png )

"AAaaaaaaaa~"
"Oooph! This wasn't... not a good idea, notaGettoffGETTOFF!"

We managed to scrabble a grip on the ledge and hold, but Baldrekgus' extra weight and flailing twinges the stitches in my back more than once before we finally pull ourselves over and land in a heap.

August 2013/09/25(Wed)19:27 No. 542111 ID: 12e584
File 138016244501.png - (398.07KB , 930x630 , 1008.png )

Rising, my attention is finally drawn to the sound of clacking wood and metal in the flooded courtyard.

"Kurtail... Kurtail!"

The staccato clatter remains unbroken with no sign of acknowledgement.

August 2013/09/25(Wed)19:43 No. 542116 ID: 12e584
File 138016338944.png - (395.37KB , 930x630 , 1009.png )

I sweep a glance over the yard, the sour scent of its abnormal ‘spring’ wrinkling our noses whilst is percolates up out of the fortress. Our prisoner, Eschrie is staring up at us and for a moment our gazes meet. He spares me a frustrated hiss, I break off and pull Baldrekgus after me.
"He must not have heard, we’ll get closer."
“Gak!”

August 2013/09/25(Wed)19:46 No. 542118 ID: 12e584
File 138016357724.png - (192.30KB , 930x630 , 1010.png )

*crack*
"Kkssshhhh.~"

"Opened guard. Attacks are too stiff."

August 2013/09/25(Wed)19:48 No. 542119 ID: 12e584
File 138016369862.png - (205.04KB , 930x630 , 1011.png )

"Your frustration will only-
"GgrrraaaAAAAHHHH!"
*clack*
"Parry."
*clack*
*clang*
*clang*
"You-"
*clang*"No!"*clang*"No!"*clang*"No!"

August 2013/09/25(Wed)19:53 No. 542120 ID: 12e584
File 138016399414.png - (145.14KB , 930x630 , 1012.png )

"Kurtail!"
*clang*
"KURTAIL!

August 2013/09/25(Wed)20:04 No. 542124 ID: 12e584
File 138016467119.png - (391.82KB , 930x630 , 1013.png )

"What!?"

"...Is something wrong, you seem, frustrated about something"

>>542128
It is rather obvious what he is frustrated about. Tower shields are tricky, especially when you don't have room to try maneuvering around them.
We could talk to him about trying out shooting with us in his possession to see if it can indeed raise his aim from expert to truly supernatural, if you don't think he will mind the whole 'mysterious magic item testing' thing.


That odd hole in the pool seems ominous. Is it possible that it connects to the ocean? I worry that the mysterious threat from the sea might try to take a shortcut.

You know, I have a feeling that the linespinner we gave away... created carbon nanotubes or something.

Yeah, checking in on your Kurtail was probably for the best if he's this agitated. Leaving this unresolved and festering would not have gone well. Inquire calmly about his irritation.

August 2013/10/08(Tue)18:44 No. 543446 ID: a1088a
File 138128306227.png - (124.86KB , 1146x630 , 1016.png )

>That odd hole in the pool seems ominous. Is it possible that it connects to the ocean?

No idea, it appears to be the source of water. From what I could tell something cracked the pavement and foundation exposing the actual warrens and halls below, and it’s all flooded out. We're a bit higher up than the ocean here, too. The surrounding ruins and town were founded on a sort of stony island set into the shore of the marshlands so I'm not precisely not sure how it all works.

From the smell of it I could easily believe it was bubbling up from under the marsh, but that doesn’t explain what looks to have been an outward explosion of pressure. Of course, it could have just been sabotage or explosion during the battle and the water is just contaminated rain mixing with whatever’s lain rotting in storage beneath the surface all these decades. I’d really need to ask the locals about the specifics.

>>542180
Ehh, I am not a very good chemist, care to explain more the significance of that?

August 2013/10/08(Tue)18:47 No. 543447 ID: a1088a
File 138128322064.png - (295.77KB , 930x630 , 1017.png )

"...Is something wrong? you seem… rather frustrated about something."

”I’m Fine. You’re interrupting my sparring.”

”Really? I seemed to be interrupting you repurposing our freelancer’s equipment into a war drum.”

”Yeah, and you’re an expert on technique an’ tactics right?”

”Remind me which of us survived multiple assassination attempts, killed a monster, thwarted a spy and dealt with a dragon in the past month?”

August 2013/10/08(Tue)19:32 No. 543455 ID: a1088a
File 138128594681.png - (369.27KB , 930x630 , 1018.png )

He looks aside ashamedly, unwilling to answer the question, still unwilling to let the argument go.

”Maybe I would have ‘more’ opportunities to be useful if we weren’t stuck pointlessly training outside the city limits of Nowhere, population; fishmonger!”

”Have we greatly wronged you somehow in bringing you here, has it upset some incredibly important schedule or event you must attend?”

”August why’s…? Why’s it always got to be about you? You get hurt or worried or… or something an’ we all gotta drop what we were doing so-”

”This is about that girl, that Peroquette one making eyes with you back at the Peak, isn’t it?”

”She has a name you know. Or maybe you would have known, if you’d even noticed… ‘I’ wasn’t her first choice.”

so he's jealous of you and feels like he's living under your shadow then?

Well I thought the reason people kinda stopped what they where doing when you got attacked was simply because your father put you in charge of this little expedition and in the case of the elf back in the city he did kinda attack you in broad freaking daylight in front of everyone so yeah. But yeah those points probably aren't really helping. As for something to cheer him up... maybe a quick spare or the shooting contest thing we suggest earlier? I mean he has more training in those fields then you so he'd probably win and you'd get more experience in whatever you do letting you rely on your magic less since you do want to keep that stuff a secret if you can.

August, there are some situations where being witty is counterproductive. I know it is satisfying, but it can also come off as smug, and Kurtail really isn't in the mood to interpret things charitably. Offer sympathy, and say that actually we were wanting to talk to him now because we haven't in a while, so we were hoping to catch up.

>Ehh, I am not a very good chemist, care to explain more the significance of that?
Those are basically microscopic tubes of graphite, which have great tensile strength relative to their size. Rather a moot point now.

>>543475
I'm with this guy, though it should also be explained that not all adventures are action packed thrilling moments. The bards tend to neglect the long hours of travel and investigation that make a great adventure, Kurtail shouldn't worry about being useful, he'll have his opportunity to make himself useful around you, sad as that is when considering the dangers. Show your appreciation for his shot earlier, letting him know you remember that shows that you are paying him due attention. As for "that Peroquette one", that's a subject you should tread delicately on. Rationality does not hold ultimate sway on this topic. Inquire as to what he meant. May as well give him a compliment on him being so handsome as to attract such attention and that he may even have the fancy of others.

>>543494
Following up on what this guy said, but applying a contextual twist that might be more to Kurtail's style... Compare it to those comics he reads. He likes that kind of adventure time stuff, right? But ask him if in those comics it bothers to show all the downtime: all the time spent eating, exercising, recovering from injuries. Of course it doesn't. Comics and epic stories are always selected scenes from a largely uneventful series of events, and just because he's not seeing any action NOW doesn't mean that there won't be enough 'action sequences' overall to fill up a few issues of his own.

And then get him thinking about his superhero alternate alias. That'll keep the fucker busy for a while.

>>543455
>‘I’ wasn’t her first choice
That is one reason for his anxiety: The longer he's away the slimmer his (romantic?) chances get!

August 2013/11/26(Tue)21:13 No. 550007 ID: 36ddaa
File 138552919150.png - (341.28KB , 930x630 , 1019.png )

"I'm sorry. I wasn’t trying to say what you want is unimportant, or irrelevant, or anything of the sort. I know it's frustrating to sit around when you've got something better to do. The adventures you've read always pass over the long hours spent waiting, watching, preparing; the hours alone without glory, reward, and companions.
Part of why I interrupted you is that I haven't even thanked you for the shot you took on that assassin at the crater, gave me the fighting chance I needed AND managed to impress the girl. So maybe she wasn't interested in you at first, but you managed attract her attention and at your age it's because you show promise, and that is exactly why you are here."
”Yeah, but it’s a big city, there’s a lotta important people, soldiers n’ rich types what pass through there.”

August 2013/11/26(Tue)21:20 No. 550010 ID: 36ddaa
File 138552963334.png - (349.14KB , 930x630 , 1020.png )

*sigh* ”If you’re afraid she’ll forget you in absence then we’ve just got to work on making you unforgettable.”
"Yeah... wait, what? Well, how?"
”Well, maybe earn a cool name or title for yourself like those comic and folk heros? Something that distinguishes you, a name and a face people know before they’ve even met you. A title spoken near and far, and never far from their mind”
”Oh, you mean like Ace Knight Folgoria, Or Tepeleth of Pile, The Kabil Smokeshaw and the Claw Crew, or Larcen de Scarlette or”
”Mmmmaybe not like that last one. Come now I’ve got something for us to do.”
”What, Lars named after him or something, or do you mean his stories are just too racy? Wait, hold up-

August 2013/11/26(Tue)21:21 No. 550011 ID: 36ddaa
File 138552968722.png - (266.74KB , 930x630 , 1021.png )

Before Kurtail leaps down I try and whisper discreetly to… Vedelkrijaru, I think?
”You want he should apologize for that roughness there?”
*thump*
”-Hold up what-what are we doing now?”
“Nahmgood, don’t want trouble.”
”Okay… We, are going to do some shooting together.”
”Shooting?”
”Well I’d normally suggest some sparing instead, but I’m not feeling up to it at the moment, bad back and all that.”
”Yeah I guess, but I usually win my practice matches anyway, and you don’t shoot a lot. No offense.”

August 2013/11/26(Tue)21:22 No. 550012 ID: 36ddaa
File 138552973101.png - (397.45KB , 930x630 , 1022.png )

”I’m not so sure about that, was thinking we’d try something a bit less precision oriented.”
”What we’re gunna really use the cannon?!”
”Why not? I’m in charge around here.”
”Technically Weldendon-”
”Is taking a long lunch so I’m taking ‘equipment inventory’ in his stead.”

August 2013/11/26(Tue)21:25 No. 550013 ID: 36ddaa
File 138552994897.png - (386.08KB , 930x630 , 1023.png )

We set out soup tins, bits of brick and rotten board; taking our turns adjusting the sights, the hopper, and pressure hose. The mechanism spins up and the aircannon begins smoothly feeding steel downrange.

”GHEHEHEHEHEHEHEHEeHeeeee!~”
”Aha.. Heheh.. HAHAA. AHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!”

August 2013/11/26(Tue)21:27 No. 550014 ID: 36ddaa
File 138553003411.png - (411.18KB , 930x630 , 1024.png )

Eventually I become aware for Captain Rylora waiting in the back of the room, a clipboard in hand and patient look on her face.
“That inventory you wanted?”
”Excellent, excellent, let’s see: 30L water, 54 L hydrogen, 71 L diesel, 33Kg of biscuit-“
”Stuff in the green packages is shit.”
”Kurtail.”
”It is!”
”31kg Jerky, 8 kg of greens, hatchet, spare battery, compressor, canvas patches, wood bits, 20m of hose, saw, 4 inflatable rafts, hammer, netting, brace of hookguns, 300m rope, one large magnet, nails, ect, ect, stuff, more stuff… oh the good bits: three cases of crossbow darts, two 20mm aircannon with 500-“
*brabababat*
”…Maybe 400ish rounds, 5 smoke grenades, 5 wire grenades, 10 concussive, a case of 10mm short, how many rockets do we have?”
”One incendiary, a pair of blacksteel penetrators, an explosive, three dudmarks and the pair of signal rockets you picked up back in town.”
”I think that’s it then, anything else Captain? Has Weldendon returned yet”
“No, sir, neither he and Vira Kettel reported yet, but the twins have returned with Pekendrijus and the ‘bolds. Seems some guests tagged along though so you may wish to see what they’re after… our stores no doubt. Try to look menacing, or hungry, so they’ll go away.”
”I’ll go take a look.”

August 2013/11/26(Tue)21:28 No. 550015 ID: 36ddaa
File 138553013004.png - (462.93KB , 930x630 , 1025.png )

Freebolds. Maybe wanderers from that little ‘state of disarray’ they keep in the marshes south of here, well-armed wanderers. They stand proud, quiet, almost defiant whilst our own kobolds shuffle, snuffle, and caper into the camp. The smallest specimen motions its staff in my direction before addressing me in halting Lingua.

”Greeting orangecoat general. Wishof partake hospitality now and justyet. Tomorrow maybe gone, gone away. Tonight sadrains, soon sorrowstorms, coldness and wetness.”
“Keeyaaaa ripyip!”

August 2013/11/26(Tue)21:30 No. 550016 ID: 36ddaa
File 138553025143.png - (269.33KB , 787x527 , 1026.png )

”I don’t trust em, they’re packen too much gear to be scavengers and not enough to be merchant-thieves.”
“Oh oh, will they stay sirrah pleeeeease, promise will play polite.”
”Baldrecgus.”
”They’re exciting the ‘bolds too, if I hadn’t mentioned.”

>>550015
They want to take shelter here from the weather? I see no big clouds in the sky. What makes them think bad weather is incoming?

This looks like a mercenary group. The one on the left is a sharpshooter, the next one is a scout, the next one some magic user, the next a close-combat specialist, the last a demolitionist. They can cover any role a buyer would ask for. Ask them what they normally do for their wages, and who they've had work from lately. What's with the demolitionist's glowing eyes? Is that normal? I forget. I don't much like their collective stance, either. It's like they're ready to attack at any moment.

If they check out, they can stay, but we must ask them to leave their weapons in our care while they are here. No danger then. I presume there will be a night watch, so we can't worry about them sneaking about at night either. They will be useful in the coming danger, if they can be trusted... Perhaps we can even arrange an official job for them, to bolster our forces?

they look... a little shifty to me. Like they have something planned or think we do. Ask why they simple can't take shelter in the town you're next to, they look like they could use the funds and there party doesn't look like it's short on cash seeing some of the toys they're waving around. Plus it strikes me as odd that they decide to head straight towards the military compound first instead of the town... unless they're mercs looking for work.

I just saying try to get more info from them first before we make a decision... and be on your guard.

Freebolds, eh? Mercenaries or adventurers, either way they look like they can handle themselves... but they've come here, to you, for some reason. They might be trying to hustle you, get in your good graces then steal whatever you might have. On the other hand they might be looking for a new job. If they're in 'the adventuring business' for the glory/excitement of it, you could spin them a tale about what you're up to, see if you can convince them that it would be a true adventure to hang around your group. Or if they're in it for the dosh, I suppose you could see what their price is. Assuming they're trustworthy.

Also, no more wasting ammo. Seriously, a fifth of your cannon rounds?

Seems you two had quite a blast from those grins.

As for the kobolds, I agree with the assessment of the others, they've got all the markings of a mercenary/adventuring group. I wouldn't turn them away though, not on suspicion and doubt. However, I also wouldn't put them anywhere sensitive. If possible, put them someplace that is as far from anything that might get crippled by explosives, is under the fire arc of a machine gun (guns preferable) and always, always under the line of sight of two guards minimum while still providing shelter. See if you can extract a little information out of them if you do take them in, either what they've heard in their wanderings or the conditions of the local area.

August 2013/12/10(Tue)23:58 No. 551473 ID: 05778e
File 138674872916.png - (369.98KB , 930x630 , 1027.png )

Yes, them being here at all is clearly suspect, I probe their reasoning behind coming here.
“Why this ruin, why not pay for shelter in the town, even an abandoned celler or uncrumbled chimney nearby if you lack the funds?”

”Wanting payments for stay? Rudeness, inhospibal, we take no space, we take no food, only offer manysafeness! Town is untrust, you speak untrust.”

”I meant no offense, only to say that you are all are so obviously great warriors who could be very dangerous should you wish. What would bring you near such a desolate place as this, are you looking for work?”

They withdraw into a huddle and begin mumbling amongst themselves, discussing something with great vigor, their grenadier stands sullenly between us and them.
>glowing eyes
Tis’ only the light reflecting back through shadowed eyes. Kobolds have that and Verhimen have it too. Humans don't though; it’s why they fear of the darkness of night.

August 2013/12/11(Wed)00:15 No. 551474 ID: 05778e
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One of them, the sharpshooter breaks the huddle and strides forward.
“Duridrakus, is meaning?”
”Eh, Clean Arrow, I think?”
“New Dart, you?”
“Me? Oh-August.”
“Oraugust, what is meaning?”
”August? Means ’Important’ I suppose.”
“Am called Newdart because hunter, mother hunter, mother’s mother hunter. We hunt now, hunts for Toothy Dangerousness.”
”Toothy dangerousness?”
“Devil, horns and bigskinny like Vermans or appletree or eveningshadow. Taking of kobold. Eating of Kobold. Trail grows faint now and rain comes tonight, Kalderkaer sayso, is mostlyright too.”
”…and tomorrow?”
“Go home, wait again, make trap, bring morebold, better smellings.”
”Because the rain will wipe out the scent?”

He?… she, nods emphatically at this.
”So… you are not looking for work?
“Dunno, Toothy is cowards and slowsleep, maybe days until hungry. What you need?”
”Sir? What 'do' we need ‘bolds for out here?”
The other freebolds have stopped murmuring amongst themselves and are looking to me expectantly.

August 2013/12/11(Wed)00:19 No. 551476 ID: 05778e
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>Also, no more wasting ammo. Seriously, a fifth of your cannon rounds?
>Seems you two had quite a blast from those grins.
Yes, were having fun for a moment there weren’t we? Concerns crowd back in… troubling thoughts… I need to make a decision about how we are to run this operation.

They don’t know yet, none of them do, excepting Weldendon, and he doesn’t know the full of it. Planning to run real military decisions on the words of an absent, drunk delivered through a fever-addled dream, compounding creeping kobolds, dubious devils and… and…
*Sigh*

August 2013/12/11(Wed)15:10 No. 551527 ID: 05778e
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...We've got to decide on these freebolds. What are we going to do with them?

Send them away? On the surface this seams the easiest decision, they are certainly suspicious enough. However, it reflects poorly on my honor as a lordly host, which may justify them raiding or harassing us in the night.

Negotiate a contract? I might could hire them all out of pocket. I don't need to explain to the soldiers why we want them, but it will raise questions.

We could rapidly organize a dusk dragnet for this supposed 'devil' catch it before the rain? Anything cowardly enough to fear of a handful of kobolds is quick game for a proper military force. but it would split us between guarding and hunting, someone could take advantage of that.

Let them stay the night near the entrance? We would have cover on them there with forward cannon and they would have a much harder time sneaking off with anything.

Invite them into one of the corner towers? It will be more difficult to keep track of them on and inside the walls come darkness. They could creep amongst the other 'bolds', who knows what might happen?

so what are we facing? I mean all I know is that we came here to find the old man but don't really know what else is there with him. I mean we guess it's the elves that have been giving us a hard time since that party but we really don't know for certain.

Also with the bolds... well right now the biggest problem with OUR men is that they're board, maybe the hunt could help relive them of that? just tell them to be careful as I still don't trust any of them. If you don't feel it's worth the risk then just have them camp here at the gate so we can keep an eye on them. If they are here to give us trouble then it's better to know where they are right?

As they are only requesting shelter for the night and not checking to see if you're interested in a contract, go with having them stay at the entrance. You'll want to make a very, very subtle increase in security at that front in the event that they do have some secret desire to launch an attack, but at the moment, we have zero indication that is their desire aside from prejudices and worthy caution. If they are what they say they are, well, it helps to have an experienced fighting group close at hand in something else comes in during the night. The simple fact of the matter is that we have no evidence that they mean us harm and no way to determine as such, and paranoia will do more harm than good among the locals while traveling.
I agree with the sentiment that it's your own forces that might be affected for the worse by this. The kobolds will be on their way by morning, hopefully, your forces are with you for the trip. Ask the kobolds in your forces what their take on them is if possible, while doing what you can to calm your kinsmen.

I favor offering to help their search. We can leave some people to watch the ocean, and if the threat is more stealthy then searching the area might help with that. These guys are still a bit suspicious, but searching with them should let us keen an eye on them.

>>551527
Are we deciding this? Please remember that you are our master, and we should be but advisors. I will give you my opinion on the matter.

Sending them away seems like a bad decision. Your troops won't like it, the kobolds won't like it, and you'll lose a potential resource.

Personally, I don't think they will cause much trouble if we let them into a corner tower. The other kobolds could be influenced by them, yes, but the other direction is true as well. You could try to tell the kobolds under you that anything that goes missing will be their responsibility. What do you have that they would steal, even? Seems a relatively low-risk option.

Outright hiring them would raise questions... I propose a possible explanation, based on mostly the truth: Sirius wanted you here to secure his return, and that he would likely be chased by some enemy he did not elaborate on. However there is a second issue: the expense.

Helping them... well, who would take advantage of the lack of guards? If the hunt ends before Sirius arrives I see no issues with the plan. Then the mercenaries would be in our debt and we could have them assist us in the fight without raising as many questions beforehand.

Having them stay at the entrance would be insulting, I think. They might not even bother to help you when the fighting starts. So that doesn't really get us anywhere. It's less bad than sending them away I suppose.

It occurs to me that as politically savvy as we (and/or August) might be, we're not trained soldiers or warriors. Considering, in retrospect, Sirius's command of 'bring guns,' that perhaps we ought to be expecting some form of military encounter. And as we have no reason to believe that whatever threat we (or Sirius) is facing would have any sort of double-agents, I don't see any reason why we ought to continue to keep the details (such as they are) of this operation from our own people. Forewarned is forearmed, and perhaps if we share what (little) we know in a sort of 'official briefing,' other people might come up with plans and initiatives that didn't occur to us, what with their different perspectives and backgrounds.

I'm rather ambivalent about the kobolds, as they seem simplistic and probably won't affect anything significant either way, but I think our own soldiers ought to have some notion of what to expect, so as not to be caught completely unawares when whatever happens happens. Also I wouldn't mind a refresher course.

August 2014/01/31(Fri)17:45 No. 560317 ID: d6bd04
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>Please remember that you are our master, and we should be but advisors.
Yes… yes of course, I am the master here, aren’t I?
>I wouldn't mind a refresher course.
>so what are we facing?
>Helping them... well, who would take advantage of the lack of guards?
I don't... know. Instinct says it's always the fairies, but the fae are not known to operate in so unimportant a region. Sea Raiders? Wireghuls? Still, whatever it is isn't due for a couple more days, day AFTER tomorrow actually. Assuming Sirius was correct, and I wasn't just hallucinating.
>Sending them away seems like a bad decision. Your troops won't like it, the kobolds won't like it, and you'll lose a potential resource.
Yes, any resources we can bring to task make me all the more comfortable.
>These guys are still a bit suspicious, but searching with them should let us keen an eye on them.
It would validate their story... and I'd hate to think of some lurking local threat to complicate matters.

"Sir, you don't mean to...?"
"If I ordered you to accompany them, would you?
"Sir?"
"Would you FOLLOW AN ORDER?"
"Yessir."
"Good, I need you and your brother to get up on the walls until I return, tell the captain to set up some lights on the prisoner. I'll be taking Pekendrijus and his crossbolds out on an evening patrol, there is more to our purpose... our responsibilities here than you've been briefed on...
"Yeah, suspected somethen like that."
>I don't see any reason why we ought to continue to keep the details (such as they are) of this operation from our own people.
”Look, I'll explain more later. Tinnedul, clean up and make ready to hunt, I've news of a more interesting game than stray goats for you."
"Ehh? Sure, I'll just be a minute."

August 2014/01/31(Fri)18:33 No. 560337 ID: d6bd04
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>well right now the biggest problem with OUR men is that they're bored, maybe the hunt could help relive them of that?
Mmm Kurtail especially, he doesn’t like this sitting about, starts ‘finding’ problems.

”Kurtail, come down, we’re going out on a hunt.”
”A hunt? Awesome, I’ll get my launcher.”
”Okay just.. Wait NO! Saints No! Don’t bring that thing! Grab a radio set instead, you know how to operate it right?”
”Yeah, I guess, but can’t we bring…”
”If we are left wanting for explosions you can say ‘I told you so’ but I’d like everyone to remain roughly in one piece tonight.”

August 2014/01/31(Fri)18:34 No. 560338 ID: d6bd04
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*snuffling*

August 2014/01/31(Fri)18:34 No. 560339 ID: d6bd04
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*whistles*

August 2014/01/31(Fri)18:35 No. 560340 ID: d6bd04
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There we go, someone’s picked up the scent.”
”Do you think there’s a real demon?”
”Probably some bastardized yeek, maybe a shipwrecked ghul.”
”But if it is..”
”That’s why you have a radio, and if I tell you to run then drop and break for it. I can’t run so fast right now so I’ll lag just a bit behind.”
”That’s, sorta heavy…”
”Don’t worry about it, I’m keeping some tricks up my sleeves.”
Our fingers brush the golden whistle and phoenix eggs hanging inside my cloak before coming to rest on the pommel of my pistol. We won't be caught off guard again.

August 2014/01/31(Fri)18:36 No. 560341 ID: d6bd04
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We range southward, here and there a whistle directing the pack as we cover the hills that once held the outskirts of Nenentor. Peaking cautiously into ruined basements and collapsed houses in search of this supposed devil. The mercenaries also scatter themselves to reinforce our net, though their actions are more sluggish and resigned, having expected rest at our fortress rather than a task resumed.

---------- 2014/01/31(Fri)18:39 No. 560342 ID: d6bd04
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A decrepit cottage hidden amidst the larger mounds...

August 2014/01/31(Fri)18:40 No. 560343 ID: d6bd04
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*puff* ”Mmmmm~”
“Sir, I think we’ve got it”
”Excellent, keep the exits covered.”
”Gud. Very much gud. Is sucha stench. Yes, is familiar.”
”Positively sulfurous. Kurtail call this in.”

August 2014/01/31(Fri)18:44 No. 560344 ID: d6bd04
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”Got Weldendon, he wants to know where we are?”
”Let him, we’re not in any rush.”
”Now now… how to pull this leach? Thinkingmuch general?”
Already considering it… even the rabbit fights when cornered, and crossbows won’t have room for a second shot in that hovel.”

Your advisement?

>>560344
Well, if the demon isn't immune to fire you could set the house on fire to smoke it out. This grass isn't dry enough for that to to start a brushfire is it? Once it makes a run for it the men at the exits can get some hits in, that'll slow it down enough for the others to catch up and finish it off.

Another alternative is a controlled detonation to cause the house to collapse on top of the demon, both revealing its location and injuring nit.

Burning or otherwise destroying the house around it seems like a good plan if the surrounding grass isn't overly flammable, as even if the creature is fireproof that should remove most of its ability to hide.

By the way, we got a visual for a moment of the inside of the house. The creature is sitting in the middle of the room among assorted remains and appears to have red eyes, large green horns, and some kind of webbing or slime dropping off of it, if any of that means anything to your wizardly knowledge. It looks to be maybe two or so meters from the door, so if someone has a grenade to toss in the opening that might get a hit on it.

I say burn the house down and when the thing comes running out have everyone shot the hell out of it.

>>560344
Toss some of that kobold's explosives through the door. When it comes running out, shoot it until it dies.

If this guy is good with explosives(and fire?) I don't see why we cant get him to both injure and channel the creature in a particular direction such as out the door. This is what I'm thinking.

-Channel him out the door having your shooters flanking its projected path from either side.
-Have 2 shooters (mercinary sharpshooter and kurtail) taking the first shots aimed at the legs to slow down the creature. Then on to disabling all other limbs once it is definitively stopped.
-after the the first shots are fired by the 2 and the beast hopefully slows have rest of the shooters go for the center mass hoping to kill/disable it as regular prey.

-If the channeling fails and it runs away from the setup. Keep pace in flank position and execute as normal.
-If you can't keep up with the beast then go back to tracking and start again.

August 2014/02/04(Tue)18:17 No. 560913 ID: c22e92
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>red eyes, large green horns, and some kind of webbing or slime dropping off of it
Perhaps it needs to stay wet? Could be something aquatic... a Capricorn Creature? There ARE a lot of goats about; we’re near the sea. Yes, derived from Enki et Apzu; Sumerian deity of springs, alchemy… stuff.
>>560345>fire
>>560358>Fire
>>560361>FIRE
>>560369>!!FIRE!!
”We flush it out with fire. *sigh* Kurtail, you may now say ‘I told you so.’”
”Hah!”
”Okay, first we need to s-“
”RIGHT! HEADS UP, LET’S DO THIS!”

August 2014/02/04(Tue)18:19 No. 560914 ID: c22e92
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”KEKKROJALKREEEGUSSSS~!”
”God, did he just?”
”…phook.”
”He’s headed in!”
”Akrugu vremilli jaldrigk. Akrugu!”
”Dammit STOP! We aren’t ready! We haven’t- Get out the way! Everyone GET BACK! Cover the exits!
“What in hell!?”

August 2014/02/04(Tue)18:20 No. 560915 ID: c22e92
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My soldiery bottleneck scatters, scrambling out of the path of burning fuses and the crazed demolitionist toting them. I’ve seen kobolds trained to endure the use of firearms and loud machinery, taught to man stationary guns and plant mines… but I’ve never seen one relish the prospect of an explosion.

“Krigufregurisablretakgkejhfogultrjdjsd-
”The plan! Stick to the plan! Don’t let it-“
”Hahahaaaaaa!”

August 2014/02/04(Tue)18:21 No. 560916 ID: c22e92
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The flame is larger, brighter than I expected, even accounting for the darkness. Yet it lacks impulse, the hard edge I expected from a grenade, each stick cooking off individually overwhelmed by a greater gas flare.

August 2014/02/04(Tue)18:23 No. 560917 ID: c22e92
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The devil screams, launching itself out a flaming hole in the thatch roof as it lashes about like a rubbery dervish plastered in stinking hides, the kobolds dazed by the explosion are bowled over or cowering.
”It’s made it out the side! Hurry, before it escapes!”
”-GOT EM, WE GOT EM!”
The mercenary leader screams an unbroken stream of mingled epithets and commands in kobaltic.
”My goggles, where is it?!”
“Fuck Oh Fuck!!”
”Tinnedul! Over the hill, there! Fire! Pin it!”

August 2014/02/04(Tue)18:25 No. 560918 ID: c22e92
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The hunter's shaft arcs through the air before striking the devil’s shoulder. It stumbles, toppling over gangly limbs and smoking skins as it skids into the grass. The kobolds are not far behind, weapons drawn and teeth bared.

August 2014/02/04(Tue)18:27 No. 560919 ID: c22e92
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They ring about the creature and bait it, slashing and darting away before it can turn its full attentions and snapping jaws, finally overwhelming and sawing it apart under our direction.

As the their seer/leader, Peklendroi predicted, it begins to rain.
”Tell Weldendon to expect us back soon, I think we’re done for the night.”

August 2014/02/04(Tue)18:31 No. 560920 ID: c22e92
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Weldendon is waiting for us, for me particularly and draws us aside as my weary soldiery makes its way inside.

”Bit ambitious wasn’t that? The night with strangers and yourself only half healed, to hunt some nightbeasty and… what is… was that?”
”The Lesser Butcher Eel, Xenoassecula psudodraconis a hand of one anyhow… almost entirely boneless, it’s like holding a glove.”
”If you filled the glove with garleek and ‘chovies I suppose.”
He wrinkles his nose and takes a step back.

“So the twins mentioned that you were going to explain some things? If I may suggest, it is customary to give some post-victory speech or public declaration. Helps the people feel their adherence to duty is appreciated.”
”Hmmm, I was rather hoping to take care of… all that, tomorrow. Our ‘guests’ should be gone by then and our forces should be well rested.”
”Do not feel putting off such matters to be wise myself, sir. Not when it comes to keeping up morale… and dispelling certain ambiguities.”

Well, what about it? I really wanted more time to figure out a plan for all of this… at least a decent way to present our mission here and its importance.

think he's kinda pissed that we went on this hunt. So you want us to help you with the speech or do you got it planned out?

Didn't seem like he was pissed to me, more like he didn't think August would get the demon.

>>560920
You could just tell them your master sent you a message telling you when he would be returning, and that he lead you to believe you would need armed men there. So he will be arriving with enemies on his heels.

Leave out the details on how you got the message, of course. If pressed, tell them you do not wish to reveal your master's methods.

>>560923
That is more or less all we know, really. Our mentor said to expect trouble coming from the sea at this location at a certain time.

August 2014/03/09(Sun)19:36 No. 565811 ID: 1cb37a
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>>560921
>think he's kinda pissed that we went on this hunt.
>>560923
>Didn't seem like he was pissed to me, more like he didn't think August would get the demon


”First tell me, are you upset I went hunting tonight?”
”I’m upset you decided to go yourself, and take Kurtail with you. However, I was later than expected in returning and you obviously did not feel… comfortable, delegating that command to anyone else. Shall endeavor to make myself more available for the remainder of this mission.”
”Hmmm, not much of that should be left on our timetable. Fine then, tell Rylora to throw some light up on one of the towers, the right-hand one, it seems somewhat less decrepit. I’ll try and think of something quick to say, at least this rain won’t make it feel too short.”
”As you will, my young lord.”

August 2014/03/09(Sun)19:37 No. 565812 ID: 1cb37a
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I feel as if intestines coil serpentine about my heart as I mount the crumbling steps of the tower. Did its previous tenants have opportunity to make such speeches? What would they have said had they known of their coming doom? Are their bones still below us, lost forever in fouled, flooded tunnels far beneath? Too late I realize I’m still gripping the Butcher Eel’s severed hand; the needlelike claws of my trophy, our trophy, already dulling against our palms.

”Thankyou…” I take pause to gauge the soft patter of the rain muting my voice. More than a dozen pairs of eyes look up at me. Necks craning, some raising arms to ward off the rain.
”Thank you, for following me tonight, for taking a chance… to seize victory. A victory-

August 2014/03/09(Sun)19:39 No. 565813 ID: 1cb37a
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”A prize! Yes! This! ‘I’ did not take this hand, I did not slay the beast that wore it, nor was I the one to first scent it. You took this! Cutting it from one that would have used it to bring harm… to all nearby, to us! To steal away our sleep, our peace and our flesh to fill its belly… ”

There is a murmur of assent, or recognition, I cannot tell.

August 2014/03/09(Sun)19:42 No. 565815 ID: 1cb37a
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”Some would have doubted its existence, or its threat to us, but all threats don’t… do not come to our doorstep in the day. I judged the news of it rightly, and you were… were the executioners of that judgment. That is why we are here tonight… why we are here at all, so away from your, from our warm burrows and soft beds!

Because I heard news of some threat to one of our own. Almost two weeks ago I heard that news… to await that which comes from the sea, to bring guns here, to Nenetor Cove and await… and watch for a greater prize… and even greater victory!”

I pause, I know my words rambled and I try to forget all the errors but I hear a cheer, a howl of agreement, a chorus of howls and yipping and the strength drains from me… did I detect Weldendon’s cry first or were my ears deceiving me... I cannot tell nor care but stumble downwards towards rest.

We probably could have used more time to prepare for that couldn’t we? Need to think about that… later.

August 2014/03/09(Sun)19:52 No. 565816 ID: 1cb37a
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I stop to take a breath before climbing up into the airship. The freebolds… perhaps I could convince them to consider staying a few more days? I part the ragcloth they hung against the damp and see… they brought their own prize back with them, slimy bones and sinews they carefully freed from the belly of the beast, their wise one murmurs prayers and charms over these swaddled remains.

I whisper to the closest, Duridrakus.
”Would you be willing stay around for a while? You’d be welcome to this tower for as long as you need.”
“No, will be going, finish… r-ritual for burying and payments.”
”Oh… I see.”
“Very thankful.”
”Yes, well, you owe me.”
“We owe you.” She echoes and returns to the ceremony.

August 2014/03/09(Sun)19:54 No. 565817 ID: 1cb37a
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Rain peppers the thin sides of the cabin, the vessel hangs heavily in the ropes with the added weight and rocks in the breeze and I am soon reduced to slumber despite my worries.

August 2014/03/09(Sun)19:57 No. 565818 ID: 1cb37a
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”AUGUST!”
“Blaghuuuuh!?”
“Is sunlight, time for waking master.”
”Yeah, we gotta get you moving early today because we only have one day left, that’swhatWeldendonsaid, but you’re going to helpmehelpyouhelpus today when we go down to the bay, or I guess it’s a cove but we’ll go down there and try and recruit some of the sailors… there’s a gunboat there August! A gunboat with guns!”
”Bluh?”
“Maybe should be helping him to eating first, perhaps? Though Sir Welding wanted talk to him first.”
”Yeah well… he’s gunna wanna to take you into town for help August, but they can’t help because they are too far away to respond fast and he should know that! Response times are different for ground forces and they ‘re all farmers and stuff who probably can’t help much anyway. So you’re going to be coming with me to collect sailors, right!?”

August 2014/03/09(Sun)20:11 No. 565823 ID: 1cb37a
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So, I am led away by my chattering younger brother to breakfast. There, Sir Weldendon expounds on his reasoning as to why I should accompany him into town to help acquire some local forces.

”-See I can think of a few people we may manage to get some use out of, the mayor for one, obviously the best to attempt to enlist the aid of whatever local police force they have. However, more promising are a couple of the wealthier land owners have what could pass for a ‘mechanized force’… enough to tow a few mortars and light cannon around anyhow.”

”Mhmm?”

”Ahh thank you Baldrekgus… oh and some of their rowdier sons will relish the chance to do a bit of action with a ‘real’ military force like ours, small towns like these always have their share of crazy youths looking for excitement. So long as we don’t give the impression that we are stealing them away as a conscript levy we should get some local support.”

”What about that gunship in the cove? Kurtail mentioned it. Perhaps we could even check with some of the other captains?”

”Oh, that? Just a Sealucid coastal cutter what drifted up past the Freebold mashes. They’ve been busy scraping clean her hull, they’ll be headed back home today I reckon, probably operating under orders anyhow, so getting the authorization... really not worth your precious time sir, if you don’t mind me saying. We’re planning to ambush something headed towards us, not trying to run intercept out on the water, right?”

well it would really depend on what type of weaponry they have on the ship, I mean if they got big enough guns we could use them as a sea bound artillery and just blast apart any landing parties that come to shore or even cut off any see bound escape routes if we're going for a complete annihilation run.

As for the mayor and the land owners, Hasn't the mayor been asking for a reason why we've docked here ever since we got here? We could just tell him That someone back from our kingdom or whatever has been trailing some group that posed as friends back home only to attack us while within our walls. The attack was easily stopped but the attackers got away so we sent someone after they're trail and through them we've found that they will make a pass though here and we intend to repay them for there kindness with interests. Not sure how helpful a police force would be compared to our troops but we could perhaps set up some kind of signal like a flare or something to aid us should we need them and just have them act as auxiliary.

And for the land owners... How likely do you think they'd believe a story about use being after some bandits and we simply want to TEMPORALLY ask for there assistance in using there mortars to attack any sea barring vessels they may have to prevent them from escaping justice. As mortars and those that wield them tend to stay outside of any actual combat they're parents would be more likely to lend there aid and if they simple think we're going up against some bandits (especially if we can hint at the bandits may have came here to sack their lands) they would probably be less worried about there kids since what chance do simple bandits have against trained solders.

I feel like a boat probably would not be worth it. The threat is implied to be supernatural in nature, so it is as likely to come from under the water as across it, and defending against underwater attack takes a significantly more advanced ship than they are likely to have. (While I have it on good authority ramming does work against a surprisingly large number of monsters, I doubt the crew would be willing to wreck their boat for us.)

>>565827
Those seem good for getting people to help us, but we also need any helpers to not run away at the first sign of a horrible betentacled thing rising from the deep. Maybe we could say that we have information that some fey are likely planning some kind of attack here in a day's time, and we request their aid to stop whatever they have planned and help our agent who has been tracking the fey?

>>565827
Spinning that sort of story to the mayor sounds like a good way to get him AGAINST us, he certainly wouldn't want to HELP us in some vague political action that he would then become partially responsible for. That's how someone loses their position, if not their head.

But in EITHER case, we don't really have a strong argument for what we'll be up against or why it has anything to do with them (or us). We're just trusting Sirius, and they probably have no reason to.

Aside from that, and the pointed out reasons of why the mayor and boat might not be possible to recruit (or useful), it probably would be possible to do what Weldenton mentioned and just 'recruit' some bored youths with the truth, the fact that we're here because a powerful mage said our weapons would be needed against a dire foe landing upon the shore. How much HELP they'd be, on the other hand, is questionable.

August 2014/03/17(Mon)20:38 No. 566808 ID: d2a1ca
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>>565827
”What sort of armament would their vessel have?”

”Who? Oh, you still mean the Sealucids. Probably nothing with more kick than a grenade launcher, if you were lucky they might have a nice revolver cannon.”

”Lots faster than some farmer’s fireworks”

”Perhaps, but rate of fire isn’t everything, it doesn’t matter how often you hit them if they still hit you. The arced fire of an artillery trap would serve us all better.”

”Nuhuh, a boat can reposition an-”
”Enough!”
”Please, I don’t want any arguing between you, I believe I’ve made a decision.”
They turn to me expectantly.
”We will try and make our deals in town.
”Awwuuguusst.”
”We have flares and the radios if we need to summon naval assistance Kurtail. It’s more important to prepare the town for whatever may come.”
”Excellent, we should head out shortly, make effective use of our time.”

>>565845
>>565931
Mmm I am disinclined to lie with certainty about what which we know so little. What if it 'is' some vile creature ascendant from the depths? I doubt Sirius would merely warn us of some distant banditry and as you say... if they expect one challenge and are confronted by another, they may flee without contest.

August 2014/03/17(Mon)20:44 No. 566810 ID: d2a1ca
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”Wait… you, Augustus… Sauterelle!”
Eschrie, our prisoner, motions me over as we pass.

”August. My name is August. I see someone eventually did lend you something to dry off with.”

”Yes.. you… do you think you can lead any sort of… military… operation and hold me captive at the same time? You, don’t know me… my family. They will pay ransom.”

”Not in my orders.”

”Orders… you need help, right now. I… we, can provide.”

”Best ignore him, if his family cared enough or had any forces in reach they would have already contacted us. They aren’t going to loan us a single shell, not all the way from the lakes. Probably take us half the day to raise them through radio relay anyhow.”

”No, that town, we’re in Nenentor, right? They have a line... to Scilly… the Peak. I know agents there.”

”Or perhaps you’ll take the opportunity to sabotage us further.”
”As if… your radar… wasn’t violating, the Parisian act. Your father’s provoking a war we can’t all afford… but he’ll never have to pay for...”

”That’s enough nonsense outta your mouth.”

don't trust him personally but if he isn't lying about having family in these parts it would be best to keep him our dirty little secret. If he does become a problem during the attack just knock him out (don't say that part in front of him)

But yeah what I was saying we shouldn't really lie to the town I was more or less just throwing ideas out there. So what do we know about this upcoming attack? We now it will be soon... and that's about it. I say just tell the town a fight will brake out soon so they can prepare for it and offer any help if they want. We're going to try and stop it but help from the town and/or the land owners around here would be appreciated but we won't force the issue. Anything I missed?

>>566810
I think you know what your answer is already, August.

>>566822
Yep.

By the way, what is this Parisian act that he refers to?

Well while I have no recommendation to trust this guy, he makes something of a good point. Our presence and actions may be a bit of a diplomatic faux pas... Have we advertised who we are, exactly? Because if not (and perhaps even if we have), it might be a good idea to strip our banners and tell everyone not to give indication of who we are or where we're from. If something unfortunate does happen, it might be beneficial if people DON'T know that our family had anything to do with this.

August 2014/04/29(Tue)20:21 No. 572745 ID: ec1acf
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”You are already our prisoner. We don’t need your cooperation. You are wasting our time.”

”You are wasting... your own…”

”Then perhaps we’ll radio you in and have you picked up… by my Father’s forces… or perhaps you’d rather my Grandfather, Portmaster Selucid? He’d find a nice prison hulk for you molder in before we find some use for you. I hear there’s a good place to get tailrot down in the bilge cells.”

”You, no...you, will rot for this Sauterelle… you will.”

August 2014/04/29(Tue)20:24 No. 572746 ID: ec1acf
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>Parisian Act
Among the perpetual peace concessions to the local Fae courts are not only a restriction on highways and clear-cutting lumber in border states, but also a limit to transmitter power and range, keeping our radio, radar, scanners, and jammers above the 48th parallel. Restricting our EM intrusions into their territory to about the site of ancient Paris… a fairly important locale back in the day.


”Weldendon, was he correct?”
”Regarding the treaty?”
”Yes, is the transmitter that powerful?”
”From what I know, it could be.”

”Then we ‘are’ preparing for a war?”
”One should always be preparing for war, otherwise you lose.”
”Don’t be obtuse, I meant specifically.”
”The goblins responsible for killing your uncle still live. Perhaps they hope our memories are shorter than theirs.”

”But wait, I was supposed to… well going to… give a gift to one of those goblins under orders.”
”Why didn’t you?”
”Well, I chose the mission to capture that saboteur instead.”
“Why?”
I shrug in response, and we continue on in silence for a bit before replies.
”While I ‘could’ think of a reason or two to deliver gifts to those we plan to attack later… speculation is useless for now. Our duties, our very lives, are always only the units on a larger map, someone’s larger strategy. Perhaps later we shall see more of that plan, or perhaps not. In the field we concentrate on surviving the next day, questioning the actual legality of it all… too distracting for now.”
I don’t feel like arguing so I let the matter drop.

August 2014/04/29(Tue)20:29 No. 572747 ID: ec1acf
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The sun only pierces the mists occasionally, this morning. Heavy damp and the smell of smoke and fish clings to everything in this crumbling township. It is a grey day in the lowlands, and here particularly muted as only the occasional porter or errant child stirs from their private labors.

I am only a little surprised to see the far side of the crumbling cathedral to be in somewhat better condition than the seaward one. Weldendon explains that most civic offices remaining have been moved into or beneath the cathedral, which was reformed as the new town center back during ‘the recovery.’

August 2014/04/29(Tue)20:31 No. 572748 ID: ec1acf
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The interior is… chaotic. I cannot tell if it was simply never completed or if the most of the icons and decoration were simply removed at some point and replaced with mechanical junk, scaffolding, abandoned offices, and poorly labeled crates.

A small signplate near the door indicates that the actual chapel has been reduced to a single transept; the mayoral offices, gardien dela paix, and shelters are downstairs… and a community sale is held near the front of the nave on Wednesdays.

After trying a few doors we eventually recruit the aid of an office girl delivering some folders. ‘Tanya’ makes some pleasant talk while we walk; I manage to make some educated observations about the architecture and learn that the current clergyman is a Cyclican priest, while ‘The Old Family’ and the Cathedral were of the Orthodoxy, back before Nenentor was so reduced in status.

>Our presence and actions may be a bit of a diplomatic faux pas... Have we advertised who we are, exactly?

To her own credit she manages to wring out that I am some sort of nobleman, and a highlander, but delicately avoids pressing the point when decline to speak on my own family at length. I am in the midst of redirecting the conversation when Weldendon whispers in my ear.
”Take it from me, it’s easier ‘after’ you’ve saved their town. Cut it short and come along.”

August 2014/04/29(Tue)20:53 No. 572749 ID: ec1acf
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The catacomb offices resonate with the hum of a distant generator, and the air here is warm and dry. The mayor shares his office with the gardien(who appears sadly absent)… though I could have believed it was a shop mechanic by the disassembled engine scattered about the currently empty desk.
Noting our entrance after a few moments, the mayor abandons his crossword and rises to greet us.

“Ahhh finally, good to meet you. I suppose you are the actual commander of that airship that’s been tethered outside of my town for the past week? My name is Telurix Vais, and you?”
”Are also pleased to finally make an acquaintance. Apologies if it’s been a bother. I don’t mean to appear rude, but I’ve actually been elsewhere for most of that time, and am only now recuperating from some wounds I suffered there.”
“Oh? Do tell… I’m aware the waters of our little ‘spring’ in the old Villa Regis are a little unusual, but I’ve not heard of any medicinal properties.”
”I’m afraid it’s not the water that brings me here.”
“No? One could only hope I suppose.”
”We are here because I received word of a local threat.”

“Go on…”
”Well, I was warned to bring guns to the cove and await ‘something’ coming from the sea.”
“Mmhhmm, I see. It must not have seemed so urgent as to arrive personally till now, or even keep us informed?”

aaand I already sense he’s going to try and be a pain about lending us any police aid. He must not get many chances to torment those of higher status, or perhaps he’s just a perpetual skeptic… or suspicious of outsiders. I'll need to establish some sense of trust and authority, without playing all the cards we’ve got.

Alright so we want the town's help but do we want them on the front lines or was the plan to use them as auxiliary or as a fallback point? I mean we don't really know anything about what's coming and I feel lying would come back in bite us in the ass here so why not just try to make it sound like we're simply warning him of a possible upcoming danger and see if he would like to help us stop it before it become to big of a problem. Just tell him that some trouble will be coming from the cove and it would probably be better for the town if we could stop this threat from ever even getting to the town. If he's still not willing to lead us aid then maybe see if we can't set up some kind of fall back plan to the city itself. I mean the place has some buildings with thick walls and the guard wouldn't have to leave the town if that's what he's worried about. If he brings something up like why if we're so interested in the town's safe that we brought a fight with us just tell him we were given a location on where this threat would land and headed out to stop them, we were not aware of the town's presents and we know that the threat will landing here with or without us. If he ask why he should give us his guards just tell him they're job is to protect this town and if we can stop the fighting at the sea from ever getting to the town in the first place that would go a long way in making sure the town wouldn't get attacked at all. If he ask why he should let us into the city should we need to fall back just point out if the force would be strong enough to push back a fully armed military unite would he really like to fight this force with just his town guards, or with his town guards and solders to help back them up?

any of these sound good?

You could say that you were at first unwilling to share the glory but your subordinates convinced you to bolster your forces.

I'd recommend being honest without going into detail about things they don't need to know that could potentially hurt you. You can honestly say that you are one of the few people who even believe a threat/attack is imminent, and that you came as soon as you reasonably could and that you've only just now had the health and time to be able to warn him about the battle or event that might occur near the town he's responsible for. While your best (only) source of information indicates that modern weaponry (guns) will be effective and necessary in the conflict that will soon occur, you don't really have any information about what or who we will be in conflict with.

You aren't here to represent a family or country, you're merely here because of a brief message sent to you by a trusted friend and adviser. That message stated that the threat was going to come, here, at the appointed time, whether or not anyone was there to stop them, but that the most effective response required immediate action. And while you have no intention of getting the township involved, there's a very real chance that, should the threat not be easily contained by the few soldiers you have at your command, the battle may spill into residential lands. If he's truly worried about his constituents, he should either evacuate the people entirely, or arm an auxiliary force that would shield the town and direct combatants towards your own forces/positions. Keeping the battle out of his own territory should be his top priority, which requires action on his part.

Also I just want to note that there's a shotgun under the vacant desk, so if he starts acting weird and wanders over there for any reason, you ought to be prepared.

August 2014/06/21(Sat)19:17 No. 579843 ID: 38c231
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”I apologize if my concern seems insincere. I was delayed by other business, ill health, and sent my guards ahead in case anything should occur out of schedule. I didn’t send news ahead as I’ve never been here and expected the area to be somewhat more… desolate.”
I can see Mayor Vais slip almost automatically into a rote diplomatic spiel.
“I have taken measures since my appointment to the Economic Commission to improve the development of the coastlands. Oh, it is difficult to wrest new blood from the more glamorous Peak, and-”
He manages to pontificate and elaborate for several uncomfortable minutes on the details of local politics and economics I frankly couldn’t care less about, feigning interest until an opportunity to interrupt.
”…Which of course, is why it would be bad to suffer some unseemly attack right now!”
“Yes, that it would be. I don’t much appreciate surprises or interruptions.”

August 2014/06/21(Sat)19:19 No. 579844 ID: 38c231
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”So… I was thinking, that preventing enemy forces from establishing any sort of a beachhead would be of the highest priority. You’re actually pretty lucky to have the only high ground for kilometers, so the only appropriate ingress would be… up the cove? If my survey is correct...? I’ll confess I initially was quite confident in our ability to repel an attack singlehandedly and seize some personal glory, but seeing your town nearby that seemed… mutually irresponsible. ”
”What I believe my lord is saying is that we not only wish to warn you, but would even suggest combining forces into a stronger first response. Perhaps establishing a series of pre-defined fallback points towards the town if such should be necessary to purchase time.”
”Yes! Yes... more or less.”
“Not on such short notice. The duty of the watch is to protect and police this town, my constituency, not to serve as fodder against some enemy unknown. Nor face an unspecified threat they may not even be equipped to handle.”
”Our source indicated that firearms will be effective. If we are somehow forced back here or overrun it will be your handful of police requesting our help to hold ‘your’ line, can’t you somehow help us to hold ours?”
“That same handful of police isn’t going to make you and your little airship into the Grand General of Whitecliff Wall. If whatever you say is coming has so much as a spyglass, a few ropes and buffers they’ll quietly land a few hundred meters to the north, or south, circumventing you entirely!
…That is, unless, they are coming for you...
No, my answer remains a grateful, but careful no. I’ll see what can be called in from my lord, but our gardien is not hiding some sort of elite covert soldiery for your personal use. I am sorry… now is there anything else you’d like to discuss?”

August 2014/06/21(Sat)19:20 No. 579845 ID: 38c231
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I can’t say what I expected. Maybe some enterprising fellows with a few pepper grenades, some eletri-lances, shotguns, maybe a rocket or cannon stowed somewhere for deterring pirates? Surely nothing so ridiculous as arresting a sea monster, but still…

August 2014/06/21(Sat)19:24 No. 579848 ID: 38c231
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”No, I’m afraid that’s about all. Disappointing that we cannot come to closer agreement on strategy, but it suffices that you have been warned. I simply hope that warning is well exploited… but I shouldn’t have to worry too much about the sorts of folk who keep shotguns behind their desks. Now, if we may excuse ourselves.”

August 2014/06/21(Sat)19:27 No. 579850 ID: 38c231
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”Sir, do you believe we should be so hasty?”
“I think we both have a lot of other people to get in touch with before the day’s end. Good luck to you Mr. Vais, and good day.”
“Shotgun…? N-now hold on just a minute you aren’t planning on stirring up some sort of rabble are you?”
”Rabble? Is that any way to refer to your constituency? Just talking to a few citizens with concerns of their own”
“Everything that happens to this town is ‘my’ concern, you’ll do well to remember that.”

August 2014/06/21(Sat)19:29 No. 579852 ID: 38c231
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” Don’t you think agitating him like that was a bit risky?”
”He already seemed hostile, and bees only sting when angered. Better he consider me another threat than left secretly suspecting there are no threats at all.”
”That may be, but if I may offer some advice, ditch that mysterious stranger act with the farmers. They’ve got more immediate concerns to attend than the vague warnings of an unknown traveler.”
”Are you suggesting I pull rank on them?”
”Not… exactly, you aren’t their lord, so you can’t order them to do anything. However, it makes you someone worth listening to. The exact politics are usually far enough above their heads for them not to care ‘what’ your title is beyond that you have one.”
”I see. Well then, lead the way.

August 2014/06/21(Sat)19:30 No. 579853 ID: 38c231
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”I did some groundwork yesterday and the Tombtallis are among the most influential families, if we can get them with us they’ll bring the others along without much fuss.”
”We’ll try to be on best behavior.”


The Tombtallis live at what looks to have been the base of an old tower fenced in by fallen stone blocks, capped with a glass dome and expanded into a homestead. Young children play in the yard and we pass their older siblings and parents in the field.

August 2014/06/21(Sat)19:32 No. 579854 ID: 38c231
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The matron, burdened with an infant, invites us in and escorts us to the central chamber where lunch is being cleared away.
“Ahm sorreh a’vn’t the time teh address yeh mehself, hands are bit full up, but Vettel will take carea yah n listen to yer story a bit Ahm sure milords.”

Noting our appearance, Vettel Tombtallis pushes away his plate, demands we be seated and presses his hospitality upon us.
”Aye, seen yehr ship luften about, vhat can I be doing hew for?”

Okaaaay, sit up straight, don’t impose myself, but… project... authority aaaannnd...

so the plan here is to let your title as lord do most of the talking right?Well might as well tell half truths here and leave them to make up the other half.

We are [title you want to use here] of [whatever your home is called] and we have come to this land because a trusted source has told us of an attack that may come to this cove. Those attacking are believed to be part of a group that has openly attacked our home under the guise of friendship and now we have information that those responsible for the betrayal are coming here for less then hospitable reasons. We are warning others in the area so they can prepare themselves and not be caught unaware as well as to ask for [aid? men? whatever you'd think would be better] to help us bring these criminals down. For they have personally attacked our home and now come to your lands for less then benevolent reasons.

Feel free to paraphrase that as I have no idea what passes for noble and what not so you have more experience then me in this field. Just throwing some pointers out there to help.

weve encountered a band of criminals who are more than capable of staging a concerted attack on a town of this temperament, and we've traveled ahead with reason to believe they are looking to strike here from the cove. we have a vested interest in your safety and their defeat in providing you this tip, and we have been entrusted to eliminate such a threat so long as we have cooperation and understanding.

with that put out there, is there any information you would like to add or services to quote that might make both our lives easier in that way ?

It's hard to find a balance between trying to be authoritative, and being overbearing. Introduce yourself to such a degree that they get a good impression of who you are as well as your importance, but don't go too overboard on it. Don't lie to them about what you might be asking them to face, that will just get you in trouble down the road. I advise letting them know that through magical means you've learned of an imminent attack on this area, and while you are not sure of the exact nature of the threat, you will be fighting them nonetheless. Make sure to (subtly) point out that you did bring this to the attention of those who are SUPPOSED to be protecting them, but they chose not to believe you. If you're lucky, they'll already have some lingering resentment towards them and you'll be able to capitalize on it, but even if they have a good relationship with the sheriff and such, you'll be able to show them that you're on their side. Make sure to let them know that you don't want any of them to be in the path of danger, but that the best way to keep the threat from reaching the village would be for you to defeat the threat, which would be more likely if they were able to support your forces, as auxiliaries or whatever. Ultimately you'll want to make it clear that while you are a Heroic Noble, you respect their manner of living and whatnot. Someone who suspects that you don't respect them will be loath to assist you.

August 2014/07/01(Tue)21:00 No. 582389 ID: 07a372
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”I am August de Sauterelle, Secundus de Sauterelle, à partir de Merboiullant, and I am here to stop something terrible from happening.”
”Mmmhmm, highlanders?”
”Yes, we are.”
”Spected as much, you’ve ‘xotic taste in headware. Zo, vhat bad thing is dis you warn me of?”

”Over the past month I have been harassed by a certain group of outlaws along the border. I have nearly been nearly assassinated… assaulted by monsters masquerading as men three times within that period.”
”Right, m’sorry tah hear that.”
”I’ve survived. However, a friend of mine, of some importance to our land disappeared in that time, presumably driven underground by their intrusions. I recently received a transmission from him warning to bring guns to the cove, to counter something from the sea, tomorrow.”

August 2014/07/01(Tue)21:05 No. 582390 ID: 07a372
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He turns his attention to Sir Weldendon.
”Hew are military type, command officer, yes?”
”I’m a… senior advisory officer; here to supervise, and offer advice, not command.”
”You advise dis, that hew are still unprepared, needing our help?”
”I’m cautious, and… couldn’t fit the firepower I favor on our airship.”

August 2014/07/01(Tue)21:23 No. 582394 ID: 07a372
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”Can you offer some firepower?”
”I have a few things...”
”And your neighbors? I’ve been told you were a voice to be heard around here.”
”Out of honor, I vhould lend myself, but my neighbors, my kin? First make me believe, not that danger exists, that something terrible is coming, we already feel dis, we know it always. Can hew give us certainty, a reason to believe that ‘YOU’ want to help us?”

Two reasons. First, we are not one to forgo revenge against these creatures who betrayed and assaulted us in our own home. Second, he has our word on our honor as a de Sauterelle that if he and his kin help us we will stand by them in this.

>>582584
The first reason doesn't really involve/affect these guys in any way, just shows that we have sufficient cause to see the fight to its conclusion. I'd advise invoking the full weight of your family's political history, and using it to show that you and your family do not abandon their allies. Of course, that presumes your family does have a favorable history, in that regard.
Alternatively/Additionally, you might note that it's not merely an issue of you helping them, or them helping you. It's a pact of mutual benefit. Without you, their home stands a good chance of being overrun entirely, and without them, your chances of PREVENTING that from happening goes down.

Well don't say it like that, that sounds awfully selfish. He wants to know that you care about his people and not your own hide. Just swear on your honor and say that in this fight, you are his neighbor and his kin as much as any other man.

August 2014/08/22(Fri)17:42 No. 590693 ID: ddcac0
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I consider his request for a moment. I have been taught that words may possess power, but it is not the words themselves that contain that power, but rather what they invoke. How are my words to be believed, even assuming he knows who I am? I’ve yet to claim any great deeds, no stories of my own…

”I believe this attack may be related to those who have stalked and attacked me over the past month, and I am not one to forgo a chance at revenge, but these are only my words, and my honor, and perhaps you suspect those could turned aside out of greed or fear?”

August 2014/08/22(Fri)17:50 No. 590695 ID: ddcac0
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”But know this: it is not my honor alone driving me, but the weighty history of the Sauterelle of Merboullant that compels me onward in the examples my ancestors set.
My father before me did little to avail himself of that noble heritage, but sailed the seas as a common corsair for my Grandfather Sealucid. No grand battleship or armored cruiser for him, only a set of lightly armored clippers to catch his foes unawares. He had ships burned beneath him and suffered imprisonment for his successes, but it was only his adherence to familial duty that he allowed a crown to be laid upon his brow.
His father before him, Orsiron de Sauterelle, did not seek the most glorious fronts of the Tangerine Year Conflict in the east, among the lucrative spice steppes and vault reclamations. Instead he came to the aid of House Sperenze, whom the Fair Foe had left crippled below the Raiders of Serzhail. Many ancestors died taking those cliffs, and many more amid the blackstone towers, where the fearful goblin lords unleashed their invisible brood of voidpipers to contest flamethrower and shock lance with pulse pike and searsap.

August 2014/08/22(Fri)17:54 No. 590696 ID: ddcac0
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There my grandfather dug trenches and burrows into the ruins, calling it Merboiullant that we would keep watch over the boiling seas of cloud and fog, below that no more raiders would descen-

Tombtallis rises and grips my arm so tightly the train of thought is scattered and my voice trails away.

”Stow yer speech n’ histories fer another day. Today, yew’ll not feel that burden alone, vhe lend our strength.

August 2014/08/22(Fri)17:56 No. 590697 ID: ddcac0
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”Jest… ah think I’ll handle convincing the others myself, yew… seem to have got a bit much of that dramatik training or somat. Now, let me show hew what we got.”
He pulls a small control box from his pocket and the table begins to ascend towards the second floor.
“It’s pneumatic?”
”Nah, hydroliks”
”Uhhp, hold on, just let me…”

August 2014/08/22(Fri)17:59 No. 590698 ID: ddcac0
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”A bit dramatic huh?”
”Is for moving tings up! Really, stairs are too narrow an ez all origional stonework so...”
”Alright let’s go.”
…
”Acch damn.”
”Should we be moving again?”
”Lissa, did hew replace zhe fluid for pistons?”
“Yes pappa vhat’s wrong?”
”Is stuck I tink et needs more.”
“Okaaay, will go get some and-“
”Nermind dat jest go get the boys, tell dem is important!”

August 2014/08/22(Fri)18:00 No. 590699 ID: ddcac0
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We pass through a disorganized greenhouse and aviary onto a walkway over their barn.
”Ah tink… yeah… should be right under us, here see? Go on in.”
Tombtallis opens up a trapdoor and motions us forward.

”Rather dark isn’t it?”
”Show a bit of faith, he’s trusting us, remember?”
”Sent my boys round to open the doors, let some light in jest a bit.”

August 2014/08/22(Fri)18:04 No. 590701 ID: ddcac0
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”So where is it… or what is it?”
”Well look around, pretty sure got et stowed in there, yew’ll know when yah see et.”

August 2014/08/22(Fri)18:09 No. 590703 ID: ddcac0
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I turn to the sound of squeaking wheels and sliding metal, and I see it.

August 2014/08/22(Fri)18:10 No. 590705 ID: ddcac0
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We spend all afternoon clearing the engines, digging up a few boxes with munitions clinking about in the bottom, refuling and oiling set gears. We had help after Tombtallis eventually did convince some of his neighbors to come along and crew the machines to lend a hand in the defense, but the town is small and the work is tiring in the damp.






Thankfully, we won’t have to walk now. The cool breeze of evening has blown the fog away and I can smell cookfires mingling with salt and the scent of field poppies.

Animated August 2014/08/22(Fri)18:12 No. 590708 ID: ddcac0
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All told and done we managed to round up an armored personnel carrier, a homebuilt truck with a small anti-aircraft gun bolted the back, some ceremonial looking cannon strapped into to an earthmover, and an otton cart lugging a pair of rocketboxes.

August 2014/08/22(Fri)18:13 No. 590709 ID: ddcac0
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Kurtail is clearly excited when I ride up to camp in the APC, and runs to greet me waving a handful of paper.

”August! August! You did it, you guys really did it! It’s like a real war now isn’t it!?
I catch Weldendon crack a strange half-smile half-grimace that vanishes before he pats him on the head and flicks his ear for being so casual in front of strangers and commoners.
”Sure, now we’ve finally got some armor and power to back us up.”
”Owww hey! So, I got that map you wanted earlier, took out a patrol like you asked and checked the tower too, we can climb it, but there isn’t much inside except some old oil barrels, nets and ropes n stuff… Sorta crumbly too but you can see everything from up there!”
”Yeah, some of zhe fishers storing stuff in zhe lighthaus. Tink de stopped it from falling after de battle, put in dose supports vhat was never restored to working again.”
”Alright let’s see that map, we need to organize our ambush positions for tomorrow, right?”

August 2014/08/22(Fri)18:25 No. 590713 ID: ddcac0
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Map not to scale, a small squad or a vehicle may easily fit within one square.
>General Inventory
>>550014
>Sauterelle Infantry Units
>>/questarch/376384

Map:
S- units that may accurately engage within 1 square
M- units that may accurately engage within 8 squares
L- units that may accurately engage within 15 squares
A- units that may arc fire as artillery

Grass fields may hide smaller units like kobolds.
Ruins provide cover, but hinder movement across them.
The shallow water and sands of the cove may hinder the passage of vehicles however, infantry units may still operate here.
The stony ocean bluffs and remnant seawalls provide elevation of several meters over the waterline.


Random Notes:
Kobolds hate loud noises; they may cower and fall back if not lead by a disciplined verhimen unit.
The APC or the Airship may carry multiple units, provides cover and infantry may return fire from within.
Rocketboxes are disposable pods that unleash a sustained hail of small explosive rockets, carpeting a projected 9 square zone for roughly 15 seconds.
Voice commands may be expected to be received within three squares.
There are three portable radio units.
The Airship, the APC, and the Earthmover Cannon all have integral radios.
The Airship is currently using hydrogen lifting-gas.
The Airship may release its entire cargo pod, individual aerostat nacelles, or the emergency cockpit drop (safety of occupants in any case not covered under warranty.)
The only airship pilots are, in order of experience: Captain Rylora, Sir Weldendon, Kurtail de Sauterelle.

Some questions about the map:
- The light blue rectangle is the fort we are based out of, right? (If not, which direction is it in?)
- How many units can fit inside or effectively fire out of the APC?

General notes:
- The threat will be coming from the water and probably from underwater, so going in or within or near the water seems like something to be avoided
- Considering the first note, it would probably be best to have our forces on one side of the bay, since we don't want to have to cross the water and I don't think the attackers will try to approach then run away down the other shore.
- The airship is vulnerable to ranged attacks with hydrogen so should be sure to stay at long range.

The general idea I am thinking of for placement is:
- The M troops and some S troops on the cliff behind the right tower, near or inside the APC in case they need to retreat or go support the artillery group
- Artillery at the top right near the fort (or firing out the the fort if possible) with the other S troops guarding
- Airship at top middle with pilot, gunner, and L troops

August 2014/08/26(Tue)20:14 No. 591304 ID: e98bfc
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>How many units can fit inside or effectively fire out of the APC?
2 Crew (already provided as civilian auxiliary) and 6 passengers (probably more if a significant number are kobold.)
>The light blue rectangle is the fort we are based out of, right?
Okay, that’s our base, yes?
”Yeup!”
”Think we can fit the artillery in there? Fire from cover?”
”Could fit the rocketboxes on walls, even the tower if we really wanted. I’m sure that truck would make it under the arch too, assuming it doesn’t have trouble on the stairs.
”Earthmover idn’t fitten in there, an I’m not too sure ‘bout my Carrier on zhe floor, all rotten stones fit to sink to the underfort way I hear et.”
”You mean that flooded hole, right?
”Right. Zhey built stuff down there, Lord Murmel ‘n his family, building a warren… sea took et all when the towers fell.”
…
”This map isn’t complete, we need to know elevations.”
”But it’s all so FLAT, excepting the coasts and I colored those in.”
”We got hills, not yer highland mountains, but we got em, zhe roads all go round em here.”
”Those ruins add some jagged ground… attacking forces take the route of least resistance if they can.”

”Show me.”
”Best landing is over here on the right, nice broad beachhead with nice level ground between it and the road. The one of the left between those surviving seawalls is alright, but it’s further back, less deepwater access and those ruins get in the way. However, if I wanted to take the cove I’d send people around these lesser routes and take the tower ruins to secure the mouth. ”

So basically we need to defend our fort and keep them from capturing the towers to use as bases. I am not sure what they would gain by going anywhere else (aside from taking cover in ruin bits), and our airship and artillery would be able to harass them if they go some circuitous route.
Would it be viable to set some kind of trap to start a fire in or outright destroy the left tower, or if not to make the lower left entrance less accessible? It would be great it we could avoid having to actually split some troops to go there.

I am still thinking of having most of our medium range troops on the cliff near the right tower, with the APC around M20 for use in retreating or going to support the artillery group. The artillery that can go in the fort should do so since we are defending that anyway, and the others should go behind the fort if they can fire over it or otherwise next to it.

>sink to the underfort
Right, the suspicious watery bits in the fort. I still suspect something will come up from there, but since the goal is to keep the enemy from getting a foothold we can't just relocate and will have to have our S troops guarding the artillery keep an eye on it.

So to sum up the current plan of defenses per approach:
-Left upper: Relatively open but it doesn't seem particularly close to anything useful; it would essentially mean going around so the airship with L troops and the artillery can bombard them if they go there.
-Left lower: Hopefully we can find a way to cut off access to the tower or entrance since a squad there will be rather isolated, but if necessary a squad will barricade into the tower and the airship can be stationed on the left side rather than the north to support them better.
-Right upper and lower: Main force of M troops start out attacking from the cliffs near the tower then as the enemy advances retreat to the nearby APC and move up the road depending on where the enemy is headed.

Z 2014/08/28(Thu)20:13 No. 591596 ID: be3508
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Okay this is my battleplan, and of course it's just a suggestion. There should be just enough split units that everyone can communicate, with either the set radios or the portable ones. Marked placements should be obvious, with the blue four-point star units in the apc (blue diamond).

The APC crew is placed to allow it to mobilize and deploy to wherever is necessary, and upon opening up the crossbow 'bolds ought to fire, then allow the shieldbold and Viria (unit leader) to charge in as heavy infantry, supported by the others. Give them a few of the smoke grenades and maybe a few others.

The two artillery units are put to the rear and given cover to fire behind, and there's only one portable radio between the two, but they're pretty much set to fire and then retreat.

I have the AA unit beside the tower, to give it best range against any possible aerial threat. Best to take those down as quickly as possible. Once its job is done or if the enemies get too close, it can retreat north(?).

The red diamond crew is primarily overwatch and heavy assault, and might need to GTFO if aerial enemies aren't dealt with ASAP. But assuming the AA does its job, they'll have excellent positioning. Weldenton has command, and give him/them a couple of smoke bombs in case they need to disappear. Yellow star (four pointed) is set to the ruins nearby for when the enemy assaults that tower, and should be given grenades as well for when they assault from the rear. Tinnedul commands that squad.

August and Rylora have the main command of the airship, Rylora piloting and August manning the guns.

Put one of the artillery units in the tower so it can have the greatest range, with a second in the circle across the way. Keep the artillery truck in reserve and out of sight so they won't know it's there.

Put a good chunk of your forces in cover along the shore and stick some ranged units at the mouth of the bay, but leave the bay itself apparently undefended. Place most of your units in ambush positions around the bay.

The artillery chew up the craft while they're in open water, giving the enemy a good reason to rush those positions and from there 'slip past' your forces to flank you. Once they're actually in the bay and starting to deploy you'll open up on them with artillery and launch your ambush. Turn the bay into a charnel house.

August 2014/10/02(Thu)18:59 No. 596868 ID: 87bbf1
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>Would it be viable to set some kind of trap to start a fire in or outright destroy the left tower.
I’m afraid that tower has been ruined for decades, it’s already a heaped ring of stone and brick.
>>591596
This plan seems quite sound with a few modifications.

>Put one of the artillery units in the tower so it can have the greatest range, with a second in the circle across the way.

“We can put one of the rocketboxes up on the tower, while the AA truck could take cover behind other tower with orders to fall back if overrun. Kurtail, you and the twins could use the tower as the best vantage point around, but Weldendon has command and if he says move out then start withdrawing to the fortress. I don’t want that thing coming down around your ears.”
”Easy enough.”
”As you say, sir.”

”Noticed you’re placed a bit back arncha?”
”The airship is too tempting a target and easily visible if we keep near the coast. Instead we will stay low, ready to move forward while still covering the beachheads. I’m no great warrior but it doesn’t take one to fire a gas cannon till empty. ‘You’ should keep your APC up here ready to either cover a withdrawal or a landing intercept.”

”Iffen yew say so, jest don’t like us all being spread out’s all.”
”I don’t either, but we have a lot of ground to cover. We are supposed to be an ambush so we can’t have anyone firing or kicking up dust until our artillery is all ready to fire. Regroup point is the fortress, from which we may assess; fall back to the town, hold them here, or attempt something else.”
”Alrighty”
”Sounds good.”
”S’alright”

August 2014/10/02(Thu)19:00 No. 596869 ID: 87bbf1
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Fortifying arrangements are made and we begin to move the vehicles and gear into place. Meanwhile, negotiations proceed with the local fishermen. Most are willing to spend an extra night or two out for a trawl or visiting other ports, yet some are stubborn or simply unready to depart on such notice. We take care to warn them of the danger and continue about our preparations.

August 2014/10/02(Thu)19:01 No. 596870 ID: 87bbf1
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Baldrekgus and I take a personal hand in mooring the airship, Rylora’s piloting is smooth enough, but pulling up the slack on the ropes against the breeze’s unpredictable breath proves tiring on my still tender back.

August 2014/10/02(Thu)19:04 No. 596872 ID: 87bbf1
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Excitement among the locals and the relaxing tensions among my own soldiers collide and precipitate into a little party of sorts amongst the cookfires come darkness. Someone brought drinks and music softly plays out over the sounds of seagulls and laughter. I relax, laugh, and eat; but my eyes are continually drawn back to the flickering flames, and my mind to the unfinished ‘arts project’ I began back at the Peak.

August 2014/10/02(Thu)19:10 No. 596873 ID: 87bbf1
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Cardstock… string… ink… tape… carved wood… paste… copper wire… a spare cannon barrel… I think I’ve got the design down… but we’ll need one more thing.

August 2014/10/02(Thu)19:23 No. 596878 ID: 87bbf1
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Blood.
I’m not sure just how much… but if it works? Well, we will have something a lot more impressive than my little thundertrap.

I could be left weakened though, and I haven’t anyone to double-check my spellcraft. It might not work at all, may even rip itself apart on activation?

Does it have to be a person's blood? There is likely still time to discreetly acquire some uncooked meat or a fish or such.
If not, try with only a small amount of your blood so you won't be weakened, and save the device for an emergency.

No guts no glory! Though, I wonder, does it have to be your blood, or can you get a donation from someone else so that nobody needs to be anemic? Heck, you could get some blood from someone who isn't going to be in combat.

It's personalized magic that he's been working on, so I'm guessing it needs to be his own blood. However, if there's a significant chance of a catastrophic reaction right now, you might consider waiting until it looks like you have no other choice before you do anything that might be... regrettable. but if it's only on ACTIVATION that it might blow itself up... Well then I guess you can prepare yourself now, and keep it as a last resort on the battlefield. But, if you're in the airship, will you even be able to do anything with what you're making, at such a range/position?

Don't you have a pet/manservant kobold whose finger you could prick?
Or does the ritual sap some X amount of life energy from the caster that makes that unviable?
Does the blood have to be yours, because it is a medium for your will to bind to spell together?
Are there blood based spells that even allow you to channel your will into a magical artifact?

August 2014/11/07(Fri)18:55 No. 600706 ID: 608202
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Well, you see, it starts by my building a triad off the root, the third, and the fifth vortices. The resulting chord is externalized to power this auxiliary orgone circuit I’ve designed here. Runic geometries SHOULD be applicable to non-Euclidian surfaces, but we’ve neither time nor calculating power available to crunch those sort of numbers, instead I designed a stacked array that may be engaged simultaneously, amplifying the effect of our thundertrap.

>will you even be able to do anything with what you're making, at such a range/position?
Oh, you know, a bit of thunder, a touch of lighting, could even throw in some warding here to replace the capacitance if we want to balance the offense with defense. That stacked array is open enough to let me shift applicable segments in and out of alignment, but it is all directionally aligned.

If I tried to personally maintain effects this complex the structure would likely collapse back down to a dirty signal and I’d be sloshing a vague cloud of orgone in their direction. That’s assuming I even managed to open a rift in my penumbral mantle to establish contact with the circuit structure.

August 2014/11/07(Fri)18:58 No. 600710 ID: 608202
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>Does it have to be a person's blood?
>you could get some blood from someone who isn't going to be in combat.
Maintaining substantial contact is difficult, but it is much easier if I used my own blood as the conductor. The further we deviate the primarily conductor from my own blood though…
>because it is a medium for your will to bind to spell together?
Precisely.

Hey! I could use try and prototype some manner of penumbral piercer, placing part of the circuit inside me, instead of putting myself into the structure.
…
Buuuut, running around with bits of wire jammed deep into my own arms probably wouldn’t be a vast improvement over blood loss would they?

August 2014/11/07(Fri)20:12 No. 600732 ID: 608202
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”Ehhh?”
The door latch clicks behind us, and a creaking weight works up the rungs into the ship’s spine and the cockpit. I hear the radio crackle on and hum low in the distance reassuring me the captain is watching the comms again.

Every sound seems amplified in the quiet before ritual and the swinging gasbag we hang in is crafted of it’s own shifting orchestra of muted strings, winds and skins.

August 2014/11/07(Fri)20:12 No. 600733 ID: 608202
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…
Enough contemplation, time for action!

August 2014/11/07(Fri)20:19 No. 600735 ID: 608202
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I awake to faint dawnlight and Baldrekgus fervently licking my hands.
“Master is bleedingbad. No no cutting not good no nooo…”
”Baldrekgus, I’m alright, it’s not… so much. I’ve taken care of it... stop that. You’ll ruin the bandages.”
“’portant doings day an already bleeding, notgood, no no noo..”
”Oh hush, I have a headache and your whine isn’t going to help. Breakfast… make me some tea… or soup.”
“Yes, makesoup madesoup, good soup! Oh and, Miss Captain wants you.”

I sigh, stiffly shifting off the warm covers to find some clothes as he disappears through the door.

August 2014/11/07(Fri)20:20 No. 600736 ID: 608202
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A steaming cup of pepper and onion noodles in my hand I've clambered out of the hold into the spine and shuffled into the command capsule.

“Anything to report Captain Rylora?”
“Tybald from our unit on the guntruck missed his 0300 radio report but his watch replacement reported that he’d just fumbled the dial. Weldendon had some odd pops and whistles from his unit around 0500, but I couldn’t isolate it… aaand Jodoc had his tail pinched by a rather large crab about two hours ago. I think they’re cooking it for breakfast. “
”Jodoc?”
“Another local on the earthmover team.”
“Sounds like an… eventful night… I thought you wished to see me about something?”
“Yes! I’d like you to cover the radios while I catch the last nap in my own bed.”
”…”
“You can do that, right?”
”’Last nap in your own bed?’ A little confidence would not be entirely misplaced.”
“Oh? Sorry, it’s late… early. Never am good before the whole pre-battle thing, it’s why I went civilian. Just some breakfast, a nap and I’ll be good.”
“Right”
We’re running on channel 8 power setting 2 right now… can try scanning for anything interesting, just keep transmitter power below 4 and leave the radar on passive if we want to keep our signature minimal”
”Right”

August 2014/11/07(Fri)20:27 No. 600738 ID: 608202
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I settle into the chair, a couple of empty bottles and wrappers clink at my feet while I eye the transmitter controls.

”Riiiight.”
I suppose could we should scan the channels, get a report from Kurtail in the tower, could check in with the men, I don’t feel like another speech right now… probably wouldn’t be right over the radio? The radar could spot anything ahead on the sea for a pretty good range… she’s probably right about keeping it off though. Supposed to be an ambush…

>>600738
I expect you will see your master before the enemy, and thus be alerted to the enemy's presence before they arrive. Keep the radar off.

Yeah, leave it on passive. The entire chase is unlikely to be overly stealthy.

August 2014/12/01(Mon)19:00 No. 607635 ID: fdc30f
File 141748921498.png - (301.19KB , 930x630 , 1102.png )

>>600742
>Keep the radar off.
Mmmhhmm. I figured that… was just… considering options. Should scan the band though, make sure everything’s quiet out there.

August 2014/12/01(Mon)19:01 No. 607636 ID: fdc30f
File 141748930176.png - (299.06KB , 930x630 , 1103.png )

I’ll just set the warmup for the auxillary receiver a-

August 2014/12/01(Mon)19:23 No. 607646 ID: fdc30f
File 141749061616.png - (308.01KB , 930x630 , 1104.png )

>>600763
>Yeah, leave it on passive.
…
”I JUST said I probably shouldn’t… gaaahh. I. AM. Leaving. It. Off! I was PLANNING… on leaving it off. Are we really the most learned occult conglomeration of thought within a hundred kilometers or just an echo chamber of random musings? Reiterating my own convictions back at me is flattering… and useless!”

August 2014/12/01(Mon)19:25 No. 607647 ID: fdc30f
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“We still may have a few hours… must be something we’ve overlooked, somewhere we haven’t checked?”

Routing the auxiliary radio through an aural plug yields the hiss of the A band as I slide down the static stream past islands of sound. The distorted murmur of encrypted SSB channels and numbers stations gives way to light jazz and electrofunk, the canned heat of a prerecorded sermon exhorts to give of yourself, fishermen complain of smoky conditions, the later half of a sultry cathouse advertisement, a morning tidal watch read by some distant Seleucid cousin, and the disorientated garble of local freebold sets. Tuning even lower I hear the ceaseless thrum and sinusoidal whines of far ELF fonts pulsating and flowing through distant fae landscapes.

August 2014/12/01(Mon)19:26 No. 607648 ID: fdc30f
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”Nothing interesting…maybe… Look, maybe I snapped at you, but my head’s still pounding... probably the lost blood. It’s just… we’re so close now… and now… just need to be patient... We're right where we need to be. We're here... and soon he'll be here... Current troubles are coming to their closures. Endings. Epilogues. Conclusions. Finalities. Terminations. Funerals."

Sorry sir, it was a half-hearted effort. I assumed that the other voices were being attentive. Let me run off a list of things that I can remember off the top of my head.
1) Is all the artillery in position?
2) Do you have your magic device on hand or set up where you want it?
3) We should make sure they can't attack from below. Wasn't there a watery pond with potential for underground tunnels? I don't think you ever sent anyone down there to check it. It might be too late now.
4) Do some stretches before the battle? Your back is still a bit stiff I imagine, wouldn't want to mess it up.

...wait, is that a fog rolling in? I guess you could look out that window to see if everything's fine visually. Not everything shows up on radar. There's some stuff out the window to your right I don't recognize...

>Are we really the most learned occult conglomeration of thought within a hundred kilometers or just an echo chamber of random musings?
You say that like those are mutually exclusive.

>...wait, is that a fog rolling in?
The view outside the window looks the same as before to me, though it couldn't hurt to check.

Sorry, I was in the loo.

In any case, there are a few things I can think of that you should probably do. Most obviously, let all your units know that you are now on site and taking command. Let them know you're there, and your presence should reassure them. You're the one in charge, after all. Secondly, do your own radio check; make sure everyone that should be able to respond is responding, and check if anyone's seen/heard anything unusual in their area... We may be the ambush, but that doesn't mean we're immune from being taken by surprise. Lastly, make sure your hand isn't too sore or stiff to operate any controls that will require a degree of dexterity. You'll be manning the air cannon once the action happens, best to determine right now whether you're fully capable of firing it.

August 2015/02/04(Wed)19:52 No. 623563 ID: 533f9b
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>You say that like those are mutually exclusive.
Roses without thorns… yeah yeah… I get it.

>…wait, is that a fog rolling in? I guess you could look out that window to see if everything's fine visually.
Right, fog, let’s check.
”Seems acceptable, bit damp, but acceptable... oh hey, the bombard team is waving a… yeah, I guess that is a pretty big crab.”

>1) Is all the artillery in position?
Everyone looks to be in the right place, more or less.

August 2015/02/04(Wed)19:56 No. 623566 ID: 533f9b
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>3) We should make sure they can't attack from below. Wasn't there a watery pond with potential for underground tunnels? I don't think you ever sent anyone down there to check it. It might be too late now.

I think… it would be a hassle to inspect that mysteriously chemical spring now, perhaps if we’d picked up some sort of diving gear in the village? The fort’s ruin is only an alpha withdrawal point; praying there will be no need of it.


>2)Do you have your magic device on hand or set up where you want it?
Left it in bed; will be waiting for us by the air cannon.

August 2015/02/04(Wed)19:58 No. 623567 ID: 533f9b
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>most obviously, let all your units know that you are now on site and taking command.
>4) Do some stretches before the battle? Your back is still a bit stiff I imagine, wouldn't want to mess it up.

”Right…” *crack* ”This iiis… BrightWind, signing on.”*crack*”All units, what’s our status? Out.”

August 2015/02/04(Wed)19:59 No. 623568 ID: 533f9b
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”This is TallTooth, good to hear you. *crackle* foggy but quiet up here. Out”

“RainWick reporting, want more sticks… okay I guess. Out.”

“HeavyHeap-no… *crack* -lright? TopHeap reporting. Locked and loaded, nothing to report… Out”

“I see yah BrightWind, we’re all good on our end..
”Okay?*crack*”
“*crackle*-got yor codename.”
Remember to say out, out.”
“*crack* erh, right that was, is… LoudHorn….out.”

“TripWheel… gotta cabin fulla of kobold an …*crackle*-utup! In the back of the line looking through three decimeter gap in this pea soup. I can’t see shit Comander… Can’t hear it either *crackle*give me th-*snap* and don’t make me *pop*-ack again or so hel*crackle* turn this bus around!... oh… right… we’re good, just waiting on you BrightWind. Out.”

August 2015/02/04(Wed)20:02 No. 623569 ID: 533f9b
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”Clean your contacts and try that again Tripwheel, or don’t lean on the button so much.”

I let the chatter go on for a minute or two before calling silence again.

>make sure your hand isn't too sore or stiff
The cuts weren’t that deep, little stiffness, I’ve done this before… bloodletting. Only… not out of any serious need. Avoid the muscles and most of the drain is spread through the veins, not the limb itself. Rehydration… we’ll probably want another bowl of soup now I think.
Baldrekgus!”

August 2015/02/04(Wed)20:03 No. 623570 ID: 533f9b
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The morning passes with little event.

August 2015/02/04(Wed)20:05 No. 623571 ID: 533f9b
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Miss Ryllora gets some rest and I take the opportunity to loosen my muscles.

August 2015/02/04(Wed)20:09 No. 623575 ID: 533f9b
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As predicted the fog gives way, but clouds make a race across the sky to fill the gaps and before long the sky is painted an even grey with inverted mountain ranges of tumbling black cotton.

August 2015/02/04(Wed)20:10 No. 623577 ID: 533f9b
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*crackle*”Smoke, I see smoke, Out!”
”What? Confirm! Does anyone see that? *crack*BrightWind Out!”

”Captain Ryllora! Contacts, to the bridge!”

“Nothen from HeavyHeap, maybe the weather? Out.”
”*crackle* Bighorn…erh Loudhorn doesn’t see it. Out.”
“I still can’t see sh-“
”I know! Can anyone else FORWARD see it? Kurtail, answer!”
“RainWick here… smelled it, thought it was some cooking.”
”TallTooth. Answer... OUT!”

August 2015/02/04(Wed)20:11 No. 623578 ID: 533f9b
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One of the twins answers.
”Talltooth answering, I-*crack* I see it.. column of black, northwest. Crackle-ight lemme focus…”

August 2015/02/04(Wed)20:18 No. 623582 ID: 533f9b
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”*crack* It’s a ship, burning... it’s surrounded by some smaller skiffs… They’re attacken it! It’s listing. Out.”
for a moment the comms crackle with the noise of a dozen questions at once, the civilians asking for specifics, the kobolds want further instruction.
”Radio Clear, RADIO CLEAR! Where? Whose ships? What flag is it flying? Who’s winning? Out.”
”Talltooth, Right… bearing, 300… 320 degrees? They’re listing hard. Ship, the large one, it’s moving towards us… no flags, it’s notta Verhimen design. Some sorta steamer-sailor… it’s got cranes on it. There’s dots and streaks… colored dots on the hull?”
“Tripwheel, dots on the hull, shield patterns?! Out.”
”He’s right, they’re shield patterns!”
“Saltbastards, it’s the Norskult… sea reavers!”
”Talltooth, what about the skiffs?”
“Small, fast…don’t recognize them either. They’re trying to board. They’re armored and carry spear cannon. Out.”
”Spearguns… more reavers? Out.”
”The big one’s taken a beating… I don’t see any heavy cannon on it… just some cranes and defense turrets, Maybe raiding rival tradeships?”


Is this it? Norskult... they wouldn't raiding be this far out in a tradeship?!

Hold position, don't fire any shots. Without more information, acting now is likely to ruin the ambush and with no real aim. Observe for now, check the radio spectrum to see if either side is broadcasting anything.

Since it is heading here with neither heavy weapons nor obvious magical monstrosities, I would guess that the larger ship is the one we want to help, but that is still too speculative to confidently start shooting yet.

I advise trying to find their radio frequency and possibly even establish radio contact before using up any resources to fire on either party. This is a strange occurrence indeed but it could still be coincidence... Plus, we're trying to set an ambush here so it wouldn't do to fire before they get close enough for a real engagement. A small delay won't hurt.

It's too bad we couldn't get any naval power here. ...there's something strange about those skiffs. They look almost like sea creatures. They don't have any sails, and I don't see any engines either, but they are pretty far away I guess.

Well there's nothing to do at the moment except to initiate contact like the others suggested, and wait... But our ability to advise you relies on the information we have, and WE certainly don't know anything about these "Norse Cult" people, so how about you fill us in on what you know?

August 2015/03/01(Sun)16:10 No. 627265 ID: b518be
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>WE certainly don't know anything about these "Norse Cult" people
Once, centuries ago, they were a mighty link in the Polar Compact. From their unassailable islands they would ferry men and supplies to and from old Quebeqois cities to the Heartlands. Then, something changed; novel, violent volcanic eruptions isolated the isles for decades. When the ash cleared it revealed cinder-choked shores dotted with the ruins of a people who had forsaken the church our alliances and even their humanity in favor of ancestral, pagan gods or even more insidious pelagic powers.
The Orthodoxy immediately called a Crusade, even the Cyclican churches and more rationalist political forces agreed a great work would be required to restore their place within the Compact; they resisted, violently and successfully. Subsequent forays into their waters were met with savage naval raiders augmented by clever submersible warfare, curious harmonic weaponry, and aquatic mutants dealing sabotage from below the waves.

August 2015/03/01(Sun)16:10 No. 627267 ID: b518be
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“Right, who’s come to kill us?!”
”Norskult, maybe.”
“Bastards, I should have gue-“
”Quiet! I’m trying to scan their communications.”

I work the knobs and scan lower into the shipping bands to find a panicked voice crying out over the air, a human sounding voice.
“Guð neðan*pop* Að sökkva! Vhee senkink! Elp! Meday! Der volik es burnis urh dek! Plees nenetar medey! Urh engen vhon failurg en-“

“I thought we were the ones being attacked?” Ryllora huffs quizzically.
”I don’t know, I’m not sure what it’s all about but there’s a ship about be wrecked on our doorstep and we’re the only ones in a position to do anything.”

I pick up the transmitter and make to reply
”Hello Hello? Thi-“
Ryllora starts and grips my arm “Trap maybe? Ask where they are, don’t tell them our location.”

”Hello, answering distressed vessel, what is your location? Distressed vessel, what is your emergency?”
“Guð da! Es emeghancy, es eskapink Iseland, towrvald *sqreach* Nentor? Kaptin! Urh Kaptin thold es sav et Nentor! E’s… unter dek vhit engen nao! Kan yo-*CRACK*
”Hello, yes, can you repeat. Distressed vessel, I am trying to understand you, did you say Nenetor? Nenetor Cove?”
The transmission hisses out and static fills the channel.

“I told you not to say-

August 2015/03/01(Sun)16:19 No. 627272 ID: b518be
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“That was about the only word we got out of them clearly; there’s no reason to believe they aren’t headed here… Hello!? Distressed vessel? Please repeat. Can you hear me?”
A static silence fills the reply.

I swap back to the local set.
”Talltooth, Topheap, this is Brightwind, do you have a visual? Report status. Out.”
“Bigheap, here, getting closer and smokier *crackle* I can see the littler ones clearly now *crack* like chicks chasen their hen. Out”
”Talltooth, Sir, I see fire *click* and fighting on the deck, a forward deck gun exploded and there’s boarders hitting from both sides. Out”
...
”We just had a transmission from them dropped, give me an assessment, can they make it into port?… Out.”

August 2015/03/01(Sun)17:10 No. 627284 ID: b518be
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“The big one? They still have at least one gun working and they’re trying to cast off the lines and grapple cable, but their mainsail’s caught fire and there’s no way the little one *crackle* the jib won’t catch soon. I don’t know what sort of force they have below deck, but IF their engines hoOOLLY FUCK!”
”What’s happened?! Are they going down?! Were they rammed?!”
”The fire! No, the smoke. It’s attacking them! It’s like a.. I’ve never seen this before! It’s slaughtering the skiffs sir! Over!”
”Talltooth, did you say the smoke is attacking them?”
”It got another one! “
“I see too sir, we see it from Bigheap. We see it. Lika huge black snake jest whipped outa the ship and started striking ‘em!”
”Sir, flame’s dying back too, being smothered by it’s own smoke it looks like!”

Magic? Sirius, of course! Unless… it’s their own foreign sorceries? No. Volcanic isles maybe but their power springs deepest from the sea I’ll warrant. If I could read a signature off it I’d recognize his patterning…

”Can you take us closer, I want to witness this myself.”
“Are you insane? You… I… I thought this was an ambush!?”
”It could be turning into a rescue, can you take us nearer?”
“We are a glorified silk balloon held up by HYDROGEN we are NOT flying anywhere near a spark plume!”

The large vessel is escaping something, they said. Take out the small boats! At the very least you may gain the aid of another mage.

You can get closer and identify the magical signature once the ship has the fires under control. That way you can confirm you master is on board before you let the ship approach unhindered. If it's NOT him, then you can make the vessel stay out at sea while you try to establish communications and find out what's going on.

Ok, so the larger ship is definitely intending to be here and not equipped for an invasion, so barring some very circuitous scenario it looks like Sirius is with them. Attack the skiffs and help the ship.

Don't risk going closer; if the mage is not Sirius that wouldn't tell us much, since Sirius could just as easily have a mage friend as a mage enemy.

Oh, if it's at all possible, can we get some precision fire on the boarders?

At this range where we're only getting information from people with scopes/binoculars, I doubt we have any help other than the snipers. The skiffs are small, quick craft, and I don't feel that it'd be wise to waste our artillery, such as it is, trying to hit those. We'd just as likely hit the ship. However, of most important note... Look at those attacking craft. They're rather tiny, aren't they? I don't think they're really built for the open ocean... And while it's POSSIBLE that they've been in pursuit of the larger vessel and only just now caught up, what I'm worried about is the possibility of their being launched by some 'mothership.' And considering the brief history you spoke of mentioned 'clever submersibles', I'd hang off on betting we're seeing the entirety of this enemy's forces. Drawing the boarding craft's attention away from Sirius's vessel would be nice, but I'm not sure I can see a way to do that without expending artillery that we might need later, especially considering accuracy issues.

August 2015/04/18(Sat)16:46 No. 635170 ID: a9578a
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”Right, fine then we’ll deal with the problem from here. Delegate it out even…”
>The large vessel is escaping something, they said.
>Ok, so the larger ship is definitely intending to be here and not equipped for an invasion, so barring some very circuitous scenario it looks like Sirius is with them.

Reasonable, we’re going with that.

>Oh, if it's at all possible, can we get some precision fire on the boarders?
“Talltooth, this is Brightwind, you up to putting some fire on those boarders? Out.”
”Negative sir, we aren’t hitting speedboats at this range with rifles and the ship’s deck is too chaotic or clouded to judge. Out.”

August 2015/04/18(Sat)17:06 No. 635173 ID: a9578a
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>I doubt we have any help other than the snipers. The skiffs are small, quick craft, and I don't feel that it'd be wise to waste our artillery, such as it is, trying to hit those.

Au contraire mon fraire.
“This is Brightwind, Topheap, you’re carting an aircraft cannon, yes?”
“Yessir, It’sa thirty long *crack* if they’re passing low it’ll rip ‘er bellies open good. Out.”
”Roger that Topheap. Can’t fly much lower than sea level I suppose. Range in and select targets from the skiffs.”

>I'm worried about is the possibility of their being launched by some 'mothership.'
”Talltooth, I want all eyes peeling the sea for additional threats. Speedboats didn’t chase their way down from the islands on their own power I’ll bet. Oh, and note, our foe is just as likely to strike from below the waves as above them. Out.”
”Afirmative Brightwind, *kkksszh* we’ll be watching. Out.”
“Topheap ‘ere, ready and ranged, we’re awaiting yerh firing confirmation.”

Little point delaying them further, the blood stains.

” Right. Brightwind confirming. Control bursts, avoid hitting the trade vessel. O-on my… On my command. FIRE!”

Animated August 2015/04/18(Sat)17:13 No. 635175 ID: a9578a
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The cannon’s crack sounds faint and hollow by distance of the bay, reverberating only faintly in thin metallic skin of the command capsule, but I can see the flashes and tracery of fire slung outwards into the growing blotches on the distant ocean and the kick of dust and smoke from the gun amidst the rocks and brick. A pair of short bursts precede a relatively long burst, before trailing into a measured clatter of single and shots.

August 2015/04/18(Sat)17:13 No. 635177 ID: a9578a
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Their barrage breaks off to gleefully report that a pair of the enemy vessels were turned to shrapnel immediately and another one set sinking rapidly before the remaining skiffs disengaged or were driven back or obscured by the vengeful smoke of the tradeship.
”Kills noted Topheap. If they poke their noses back towards us again you’ll know what to do. Just keep your eye on that area, just in case, while I try establishing contact with that big ship again. Report any further developments on your side… Brightwind Out.”

August 2015/04/18(Sat)17:14 No. 635179 ID: a9578a
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Captain Ryllora suggests a standard contact establishment phrase to repeat on the long-range set when the local channel crackles open again.
*crackle*“-gust, tell August!” ”Sir, your brother just tagged a new contact *zzzssst*-sing out of the ocean! Out!”
Faaaantastic, more company, wait, right… that might be something encouraging and bold to say.
”Ffffantastic, great, more company... right. Who are they and do they want a second helping of today’s shelled-fish special?”
”Sir, What?”
”ID, I need a location, heading, ID. Out!”

August 2015/04/18(Sat)17:15 No. 635181 ID: a9578a
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”*kkkshhhrk* It’s a huuuge skull! Sir!”

August 2015/04/18(Sat)18:27 No. 635204 ID: a9578a
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…
”Come again? Talltooth, a skull?”
”Huge *crackle* surfacing now! Heading south by southeast… thirty to forty degrees.””Alpha Twenty to Delta Fourteen! I’m gunna go loa-*ckkrksss*”“*skkkr*Nafalgra! It’s NAFALGRA!””Nafalgra’s jus- *crackle* legend. That’s a Sailscorn-pattern assault sub!””Brightwind, should we re-angle for the new threat, please advise?”“Topheap has no visual but-… ah, surfacing fast!“-leveled out and already on deck-“
”CLEAR CHANNEL!”
”Loudhorn, Topheap, Talltooth! A-adjust aim to coordinates Alpha twenty to Delta Fourteen. Heading South by Southwest, assume new target slowing or adjusting to parallel with the shoreline below the cove entrance. Make ready to engage and respond with ready, when ready… make haste!”

August 2015/04/18(Sat)18:31 No. 635205 ID: a9578a
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The sound of Knight Weldendon’s clear, practiced radio twang is the first thing to come back through the set.
“Talltooth here, we’re ready to engage with all guns on your command. We’ve an unbeatable vantage point and hold the initiative, our rocketbox should clean that deck up nicely while Kurtail upgrades their hardware into vaporware and the Iotis twins pin down targets of value. However, might I caution sir? They’re mounting a sizable deck gun and are already launching assault craft. I would not take repositioning off the table even if it means losing range on some of the skiffs and abandoning the rocketbox. These old walls won’t take a solid counter-barrage. Out.”
…
”Understood T-talltooth. Topheap, Bighorn, what progress on your side? I want the heaviest alpha strike we can deliver on the spot! Out.”
“*Chhsksst* We’re trying, honest. Rubble heap’s blocken our shot! Jest gimme annother minute. Out!”
”Loudhorn’s almost adjusted sir. I don’t like the look of it though *sshhhkkkkkt* We got the angle, but without a test shot we can’t be sure ‘cause from ‘ere looken ‘bout ten degrees to grazing Talltooth’s backside. Out!”

August 2015/04/18(Sat)18:37 No. 635209 ID: a9578a
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Life and death clings close to this moment. Do we tell the tower to take the shot, count on my little brother’ rockets crippling their heavy gun while snipers suppress the deckhands? A return volley could rapidly overwhelm them and it’s not a fast thing, running down a circular staircase being damaged to collapse.

Alternatively, they evac the tower, reposition them on cliffs further south and take the opportunity to bring the AA truck into a favorable angle? All the while our target has free reign to launch assault craft and start lobbing explosive shells at an already crippled civilian vessel, over the heads of our AA truck, or even into the tower itself if they’ve a capricious heart or the cruel sensibility to choke the waterway in rubble.

Loudhorn’s bombardment accuracy factors into either scenario, if they fire on the submarine now we could demolish it instantly, assuming it's hit, but it's rapidly moving into the shadow of the tower. One stray shot and the cove’s entrance would be endangered by the lighthouse collapse and… Kurtail…

>>635209
They wouldn't have surfaced where they did if they weren't planning to collapse the tower. They didn't expect an ambush, so what they were planning is to block the cove to pen in their prey...

I say trust in your brother's incredible accuracy. Focus fire on the heavy cannon. Suppression is the priority. Artillery can calmly take a test shot to make sure they can hit something without also hitting the tower. Hopefully the bombardment from the tower will encourage the sub to move away from it, allowing the artillery to get a good shot. If that seems to start happening the artillery should probably wait until the sub is well clear of the shadow of the tower before revealing its presence. This is turning into an ambush, only because the enemy is unaware of just what forces we have on the field.

Are any of those guns on the sub or speedboats capable of hitting our airship? More harassment potential there.

If we don't take out the heavy gun now Sirius's ship won't last long against it and will have nowhere to run with the sub between it and the cove.
Lets do that thing we did that when we helped Kurtail shoot the dial off the chest of a spinning assassin in the middle of a tornado. [Command Redirect to Kurtail for targeting heavy gun]

My natural inclination is to take the cautious route, especially since our most talented/skilled verhimen are in the tower, but I suppose logically this is exactly what we're here to do and if we pull back then as the others say, Sirius is screwed. While we haven't technically revealed that we have a presence on the tower, I suppose it would be the logical place to expect an ambusher have some of his troops, and if collapsing it to block the bay is something they can even do then that's further reason to suggest it'd be a target of opportunity. Guess we've got to let them focus fire the main gun and hope for the best.

Assuming they're able to disable the cannon, they've still got sixteen more craft deploying, so it's time to launch the airship methinks.

August 2015/06/27(Sat)19:39 No. 651295 ID: efe9a2
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”They’ve come too close to give us any other choice. Kurtail, take the shot. Weldendon use the rocketbox and wreck those small craft. Out. ”
*ksshhrk * “Orders received.”
”LoundHorn, take your probing shot after TallTooth. Keep it wide for safety, but figure out what you’ve got to work with!”

I motion the transmitter back to Captain Rylora and head down the access shaft to the cargo bay gunport.
”Take us forward captain, they’ll want support to help mop up those speedboats.”
“Sir? What about the cannon?”
”Keep us low till they’ve dealt with it, and patch through the intercom to the cabin, I want to stay aware of what’s happening in the field.”
“Grrrr… fine. Your fault if this wind rolls us into the arms of your seamonsters!”
“Look on the bright side; they’d be almost impossible for me to miss.”

ANIMATED -Kurtail- 2015/06/27(Sat)19:48 No. 651301 ID: efe9a2
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*pop…tink…clatter…*
“Svalhooonthoook .. Viddi kaerkooom rantooo!?”
...
”Damn, the launch cover. Kurtail! KURTAIL! FIRE NOW!”
*THOOOOMP*
“HJAAAALLLLP! ELODU-”

August 2015/06/27(Sat)19:51 No. 651302 ID: efe9a2
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I’ve made my way to the cabin and begun attaching pressure hoses for the aircannon, fingers slipping nervously against polished steel ring connectors, straining my ears to hear one distant explosion, or another over the thrumming propellers and engines. When the intercom crackles to life I nearly jump out of my hide.

“They’ve got news for you commander!” ”-it it,*kkkrsshk* BLASTED DEAD ON! *crack*OUTTA THEIR SEATS!”
”Oh.. Oh good, GOOD! I knew you could brother, keep it up!”
”OKAY, WE’VE GOT THEM STAGGE- *kksssshhhhHHHHHTHUTHUTHUHTUH-*”
His voice is drown out by the hiss and pop of what I take to be the rocketbox roaring to life.

August 2015/06/27(Sat)19:53 No. 651306 ID: efe9a2
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Like a swarm of angry bees born of a sheetmetal honeycomb the tightly packed fire needles scourge their deck of men, once men, and things that merely suggest of man.

August 2015/06/27(Sat)19:56 No. 651307 ID: efe9a2
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What was surely an endlessly drilled and practiced surface-and-launch raid becomes the panicked scattering of ants beneath a focused sunglass. The killbox tightens further when an explosive plume of water from the mortar drops just short of their tailfin. Kurtail’s second shot punches deep into the brass plate of the deck gun, stamping a smoldering seal against it retaining any value outside of the salvage yard. Even the hicks on the truck cannon finally join the effort, sweeping surviving launch craft towards the perilous cliffs despite their ‘limited angle of attack.’

August 2015/06/27(Sat)19:57 No. 651310 ID: efe9a2
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Against such an onslaught few would fault the shark-blood fiends for retreat. Yet no sooner are both rocketbox and deck emptied of life, but still more churn forth from the bowels of the vessel.

August 2015/06/27(Sat)20:00 No. 651313 ID: efe9a2
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It is said their kind never stops growing, only that they grow stranger. Were that so, what hideous strength could they bring to bear if only they’d the cause?

August 2015/06/27(Sat)20:02 No. 651314 ID: efe9a2
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”kkksshhhhiirrrkk-MORS THEY HAVE ARMORS!”
”Captain, what was that? Tell them to repeat!”
”BrightWind, this is TopHeap. We’re running outa ammo and them in the water don’t most seem as dead as we’d like em all, shells keep skippen or missen em som’ow. Powerful swimers make’n some pretty good time too, soooo we’d be most appreciative if you’d back us up before they make a landfall…Out.”
”I hear you TopHeap, TallTooth, what’s going on? LoudHorn, why have you stopped firing?”
”Blocking our shots you colossal windbag! Course check it before ordering artillery through your own position sir! Out.”
”Fine FINE, alright just trying to keep track of everything at once up here. Out!”
”This is TallTooth. They have SUITS! Sorta’ heavy armor’s lugged a damn shotcannon on deck somehow Sir. They’re moving shields up for support, trying to counter but they’re shredding the old lantern room up top and we’ve only got so many windows to poke out!”

We need to move the airship out of the artillery line (for whatever chance they have of hitting now) and both flanks could use our help. TallTooth is currently under fire, probably could use our immediate support more, but if our maneuvering is compromised or someone’s toting incendiaries on deck the airship would be a terrible liability. Meanwhile TopHeap has an unknown number of swimmers moving around the harbor mouth and only two men covering it with dwindling ammunition. Either way could ultimately bring the airship to bear against the sub, but how soon, and what about the rest of our forces?

>>651314
Airship goes left, support TopHeap against the swimmers. Deploy the APC to support the tower.

I'm tempted to just have Topheap retreat, but if the swimmers get into the harbor unopposed they could cause all sorts of trouble like going after our artillery or flanking Talltooth.
Airship to Topheap and APC to Talltooth it is. Maybe the medium ranged members of the orange group (I forget which squad name they are) can help suppress the sub until the APC arrives?

>>651314
Head over the west side. The landers are an immediate concern, and we'll be in a better position to flank the ship rather than fly straight into their line of fire.