2025-05-23T12:03:44.645-07:00
<@Spymaster Cassian> <@Curate Freda> <@Win-chester, Wizard> I am still getting the game put together, but this channel is for those currently in Ther Khuldir. I'll remove <@Spymaster Cassian> and <@Win-chester, Wizard> from this channel when their characters head out with their armies
2025-05-23T12:03:49.911-07:00
Y'all can use this to plan for now tho
2025-05-23T12:21:19.543-07:00
I made army sheets for Cassian and Winchester, you are free to distrubute those detachments anyway you wish. This is all the troops raised at the start of the game, you can start your free raise once the game begins
2025-05-23T12:21:49.206-07:00
I still need to make y'all individual commander sheets, I am getting to those eventually
2025-05-23T12:22:37.401-07:00
<@Win-chester, Wizard> The goblins and mercs have returned from harassing the empire's supply lines in the desert: They are out of supplies themselves, and the nomad's weren't too happy about them foraging in their lands
2025-05-23T12:56:51.022-07:00
<@Bishop Martina Attaliate>: [name wip]: Church of the One True God commander <@Leontius Oäldoriaus "The Gilded Tongue">: Leontius Oäldoriaus, veteran of the Kharkoptis wars and Imperial commander
2025-05-23T20:42:58.792-07:00
🤝
2025-05-26T11:01:18.840-07:00
I have the day off tomorrow if anybody wants to take some time to brain storm with me. Even if its just for like 15 minutes.
2025-05-26T15:11:01.964-07:00
<@&1376683054965194792> If you get this ping, you are one of the war-game players. Congrats to you! I am still on track to start on Sunday (June 1st), which is the first day orders will be due. I will be posting a lot more in the next week to get us ready. Most of you should have your faction sheets, commander sheet, and army sheet by now
2025-05-26T15:13:06.365-07:00
The map has been posted to <#1370529369910411294>
2025-05-27T11:15:34.537-07:00
<@Spymaster Cassian> you asked about this, a commander must stay put to raise additional troops. I am willing to let Freda raise an army since she will be hanging back in Ther Khuldur but someone else will need to come and fetch the troops once they are raised
2025-05-27T12:09:16.266-07:00
😎👉👉
2025-05-27T14:18:47.692-07:00
I edited your detachment rules, they shouldn't change anymore before the game begins
2025-05-27T14:49:39.548-07:00
2025-05-27T14:49:39.951-07:00
<@&1376683054965194792> Rules have been updated, and are mostly finalized. Please take a took and let me know if you have any questions (the first tab are the base rules, and the other two tabs are my changes) I will be posting scouting reports and getting everyone their starting positions so you can start planning for Sunday. Please ask me questions you have!
2025-05-28T11:54:46.494-07:00
<@Curate Freda> You conducted your divination alongside the witches and priestess of Hekate. These are the dates you divine would be good for combat: Stars aligned for Aggressors: June 4 July 20 August 9 Stars aligned for Defenders: June 10 July 7th August 29th
2025-05-28T11:57:26.447-07:00
<@Spymaster Cassian> <@Win-chester, Wizard> Your armies are offcially done, plus the mercenary company from Aktunis has arrived (I put them in Cassian's army for now). Again, split up the detachments as you wish (the Great Company infantry and cavalry would prefer to stay toegether though). Don't forget, mercs (including Winchester's mercs) require payment per day (starting June 1st). The goblins also expect pay right now but you could probably negotiate with them if you want. I'll let you know what Ther Khuldir's starting wealth is in a day or two
2025-05-28T11:58:17.232-07:00
I also implemented the wayfarer's wagon bonus on Cassian's army sheet, if Win-chester decides to take the Wayfarers, let me know and I'll add the math to his sheet
2025-05-28T12:04:09.183-07:00
<@Win-chester, Wizard> Also I implemented the wizard rules on your army sheet (I reduced the max supplies by 1000 for each wizard (hogwhale + win-chester))
2025-05-28T14:01:15.195-07:00
<@Win-chester, Wizard> What do you think about taking the infantry and wayfarers, and ill hold onto the sentinels and mercenaries? I can act as a defense force, you can take the skirmishers and attackers
2025-05-28T15:01:56.519-07:00
I also supplied both your armies, you'll need to adjust those around too
2025-05-28T15:05:09.214-07:00
Oh also I forgot to stat up your hirelings, I'll do that before the game starts
2025-05-28T15:06:20.229-07:00
Starting Positions: - Freda, Cassian, and Win-chester are in Ther Khuldir with their armies
2025-05-28T15:07:26.055-07:00
Initial scouting reports: - there is an abandoned dwarf fortress in the Mountains of Chaos with Dwarven Warmachines located somewhere inside
2025-05-28T15:11:36.982-07:00
has there been any previous adventuring parties that went to investigate the warmachines? i feel like i heard something about that
2025-05-28T15:12:02.397-07:00
if not, i feel like an appropriate first action would be to send a small detachment (or adventuring party) to investigate those. maybe bring the mercs?
2025-05-28T15:24:58.871-07:00
# Starting Positions: - The imperial and one true god armies are stationed in a secret (protected with illusions, which will fade when you leave) fortified camp near the Mountains of Chaos. Your closest landmarks are the magic oasis you have been feeding your troops from these last few months (regrettably all of your troops now will crave this fruit for the rest of their lives), and the tunnel into the Underdark. Tunnel: The former commander (who has been replaced by Leontius Oaldoriaus) has paid goblin sappers to create a tunnel into the Underdark. They had learned about the Underdark due to their spy network. You are relatively certain no other faction knows it's there. You know there is an exit tunnel on the east side of the Mountains. The goblin sappers are willing to continue working for you, but they'll need to be paid for any new work
2025-05-28T15:25:51.681-07:00
# Scouting reports: - The nomads have disassembled their town and have moved off to the southwest
2025-05-28T15:27:12.251-07:00
You did send scouts, they came back drained of their vitality (level-drained)
2025-05-28T15:29:44.447-07:00
Starting position for the nomads: - Southwest in the desert. Your closest landmark is are the Worms Fields of this Warm Season, or the spot where the White Worms are gathering this year
2025-05-28T15:53:56.209-07:00
Worm Fields: Each Warm Season, the nomads take on the holy responsibility of keeping the worms in check. As Hunt Leader, you can assign families to hunt the worms. Each week, a 2d6 will be rolled with a +1 for each family assigned to the Worm Fields. If the result is 10+, you gain all three options below. On a 7-9, pick 2. On a 6-, pick 1. - The worms are contained and you gain 25k supplies -~~ You keep poachers away~~ (disabled temporarily, as poachers have left the area for the time being) - All of you hunters are safe
2025-05-28T15:56:55.614-07:00
Scouting reports: - The desert is still full of undead and causing your people endless problems. Your spy in the Northern Covenant has given you the location of the necromancer's hidden keep. - Your spy in the Northern Covenant has given you the rough location of the secret Imperial Base in the desert. - You have heard that the Northern Covenant is amassing troops in their headquarters on the other side of the Mountains of Chaos - There is a Chaos Storm headed this way
2025-05-28T15:58:47.369-07:00
Initial position: - You and your army have awoken in the southwest Mountains of Chaos, in your Chaos fort. It is from here your people control the Mountains of Chaos
2025-05-28T16:00:30.829-07:00
Initial position: - The army of the Cult of Apollo has amassed in Camp Kourotrophos. You control all the lands in Southern Phaedra, which include 3 towns and two keeps.
2025-05-28T16:01:26.231-07:00
Scouting reports: - The Northern Covenant has told you that there is a secret imperial base somewhere in the desert, likely in the southeast area. - You know the Northern Covenant has also amassed their troops to push the empire back.
2025-05-28T16:02:15.448-07:00
Initial Position: - Ardonis and (unnamed ghost commander) are in their hidden keep in the desert.
2025-05-28T16:03:30.093-07:00
Scouting reports: - The nomads have disassembled their town and moved off to the southwest. - You have been told there is a secret imperial camp is the desert, and know the rough location (dangerously close to your position)
2025-05-28T16:03:45.056-07:00
2025-05-28T16:09:04.861-07:00
<@&1376683054965194792> Armies and factions are finalized, plus I have added you all to secret channels for your factions and given you your starting positions and scouting reports. The game world is now ready to begin. First orders are still this Sunday, but you may begin sending messages in-game. You may do this by sending me the contents of your message and I will convey it when the time is right.
2025-05-28T16:09:39.615-07:00
<@Seregra the Cantorshade>
2025-05-28T16:09:51.084-07:00
<@Stratigos Aratus Phebes "The Soft-Spoken General">
2025-05-28T16:09:56.695-07:00
<@Skynax the Insatiable>
2025-05-28T16:10:01.385-07:00
<@Nomad Leader>
2025-05-28T18:46:35.049-07:00
Did they have anything to report? Or are they dead?
2025-05-28T19:48:44.388-07:00
Wow great question. They didn’t get far, they report that there’s one damaged war-machine buried just outside the fort itself. Inside they searched a bit and found strange green ghosts that drained the life out of them, and then they were chased out by some strange, black-cloaked dwarves
2025-05-29T00:43:09.556-07:00
Ok, a few OOC/meta questions! 1. Am I playing Seregra and you'll control Ardonis? Either way works for me, I see the benefits of both. 2. Your blog mentioned a 30x30 hex map -- is that unknown to the players vs. the general map? (Or maybe just some of them know, ha.)
2025-05-29T00:53:23.901-07:00
No, you can control both characters. I only want you to have a single person leading armies, since it’s a pretty core rule of cataphract to have one human player per army. But I am giving you control of the faction too, which Ardonis represents. He has to stay at the keep though, or at least not be leading an army
2025-05-29T00:53:42.760-07:00
Maybe I should just send you my internal faction doc for Ardonis
2025-05-29T00:54:24.051-07:00
And yeah, that is unknown to players. You navigate through landmarks and the map I hand drew
2025-05-29T00:56:05.038-07:00
IC stuff: Scouting: Seregra gathers a a few skeletons, names them the cardinals, and sends them out in a circular pattern to scout. (E.g., north, north by northwest, etc. A sixteen-pointed star.) Those skeletons that do not return will be celebrated as martyr scouts, and a larger scouting party will be sent to retrieve any who go missing. Their orders are to walk for two days and then return and report. Note -- the skeletons are not very smart and are not very good at scouting, especially the further they get away from a necromancer. She's counting on their absence to tell her more than they can themselves. She longs for Ardonis to fix this problem. The procession: Seregra begins her procession to the abandoned nomad town, planning on looting anything they left behind -- but mainly singing their dead back above the dunes. As this is in the desert, she'll have only the saints who are comfortable being carried, rather than the full procession (including the wheeled pipe organ.) And cool, I'll figure out what Ardonis is up to as well
2025-05-29T08:03:55.573-07:00
Works for me. I think I'll go to hogwhale's tower at his suggestion to gather his troops. I'd also like to ask him what spells he has access too before we head off. Have him use this month of downtime to prepare a spell hopefully?
2025-05-29T08:09:59.918-07:00
Well, I guess we could take a bit of a gamble and send the sentinels with me. Hogwhale's tower and the town near it are in a bit of a choke point. Seems like they'll basically have to pass through there in order to get to Ther Khuldir.
2025-05-29T08:10:55.224-07:00
I don't think they'd anticipate a fortified, readied front that far up initially.
2025-05-29T08:12:51.375-07:00
Playing a conservative game where we give them access to everything BUT the capital seems like a death sentence to me. We should be in control of the map to start, and retreat back later imo. Could force them to starve in the desert if we hold it well enough? Those are my thoughts, but I'll ultimately leave it up to you. I'm not opposed to sending some scouts out to see what's what first either. This strategy is based on the assumption that they're in the desert <@Spymaster Cassian>
2025-05-29T08:21:15.425-07:00
Remember to follow up on looking into illusion magic stuff btw yall. <@Curate Freda>
2025-05-29T08:37:25.064-07:00
Before my army sets off id like to inquire with the mercs/goblins about what trouble they ran into with the nomads and their positions. Maybe we can trick the empire into wandering into worm hunting territory. Also interested in if the successfully harassed any of their suppliers, or if they got a sense of the direction they were going to/coming back from.
2025-05-29T08:39:10.763-07:00
Id also like to discreetly give the ring of the goblin king to cassian while I'm still in the city, carrying it with me around hogwhale seems unwise.
2025-05-29T09:05:45.471-07:00
Remember to communicate with other factions by the way. Real people are leading them. Let's let them know the dates it would be good to attack/defend, among other things. I contacted the bonelord, I'll let yall handle the cult of Apollo
2025-05-29T10:11:20.747-07:00
Master Hogwhale - Level 9 Magic-User (NPC) AC 8 [11] (unarmoured), HP 39, Att 1 × dagger (1d4) or 1 × spell, THAC0 17 [+2], MV 120' (40'), SV D11 W12 P11 B14 S12, AL Chaotic, STR 11 INT 16 WIS 12 DEX 15 CON 17 CHA 5, Spells [shield](https://oldschoolessentials.necroticgnome.com/srd/index.php/Shield), [floating disc](https://oldschoolessentials.necroticgnome.com/srd/index.php/Floating%20Disc), [ventriloquism](https://oldschoolessentials.necroticgnome.com/srd/index.php/Ventriloquism), [continual light (continual darkness)](https://oldschoolessentials.necroticgnome.com/srd/index.php/Continual%20Light%20(Continual%20Darkness)), [continual light (continual darkness)](https://oldschoolessentials.necroticgnome.com/srd/index.php/Continual%20Light%20(Continual%20Darkness)), [detect evil](https://oldschoolessentials.necroticgnome.com/srd/index.php/Detect%20Evil), [haste](https://oldschoolessentials.necroticgnome.com/srd/index.php/Haste), [protection from normal missiles](https://oldschoolessentials.necroticgnome.com/srd/index.php/Protection%20from%20Normal%20Missiles), [protection from evil 10’ radius (mu)](https://oldschoolessentials.necroticgnome.com/srd/index.php/Protection%20from%20Evil%2010%E2%80%99%20Radius%20(MU)), [wall of fire](https://oldschoolessentials.necroticgnome.com/srd/index.php/Wall%20of%20Fire), [wall of ice](https://oldschoolessentials.necroticgnome.com/srd/index.php/Wall%20of%20Ice), [contact higher plane](https://oldschoolessentials.necroticgnome.com/srd/index.php/Contact%20Higher%20Plane), Items [Boots of Speed](https://oldschoolessentials.necroticgnome.com/srd/index.php/Boots%20of%20Speed), [Potion of Control Giant](https://oldschoolessentials.necroticgnome.com/srd/index.php/Potion%20of%20Control%20Giant), [Ring of Invisibility](https://oldschoolessentials.necroticgnome.com/srd/index.php/Ring%20of%20Invisibility)
2025-05-29T10:11:44.860-07:00
2025-05-29T10:12:36.972-07:00
They were relatively successful in disrupting their supply lines, they just ran out of supplies themselves and head to head back. The main suppliers were imperials running guns and ammo from the north and heading south. The mercs/goblins were stations a little south of the Highlands Town
2025-05-29T10:44:50.685-07:00
Northern Covenant Settlements: Ther Khuldir: - Fortress - 206950 loot - 0 supplies - garrison: 250 infantry, 50 sentinels - extra wagons: 40 Brandonsford: - town - 30k loot - 0 supplies - garrison:
2025-05-29T10:44:58.411-07:00
2025-05-29T10:49:08.034-07:00
Actual troop movements will start with first orders on June 1st. You also do not need to specify scouting, it is done passively. I will allow your special scouting orders here as long as you know that regular folks may not enjoy skeletons wandering blindly into their territory
2025-05-29T11:09:42.864-07:00
I added a tab to the Imperial faction document, it's random bits of imperial intelligence (read: in-game stuff from the dnd campaign that you would have heard of). It's a lot but it should give you a bunch of leads to follow up if you choose to
2025-05-29T11:31:23.486-07:00
# Wiki for dnd campaign: https://publish.obsidian.md/xtina-phaedra/Phaedra+-+Public/Phaedra+Home+Page This is the wiki for the original dnd campaign in this setting. If you have a classed character, you can find their details and spell-lists through this, plus it contains specialist services that might be useful in coming up with ideas for plans
2025-05-29T11:35:55.268-07:00
Free free to bring your hirelings along with you as their own detachments, you can use the rules to know how many troops they equal
2025-05-29T11:37:54.208-07:00
# Commander Advice ## Take forts The goals of pre-modern war was primarily about sieging and taking over forts. If you want to control territory, you need forts. ## Ask me questions! Ask me questions!!!!!! I do not have time to write down everything your faction would possibly know, so I will do my best to fill you in if you ask. ## Orders When it is time to give orders, you want to state what your army is doing (if it is marching, say where you want to go) plus you will want to communicate any other intrigue you want to do (including sending folks off for operations, like sending a party to a dungeon). ## Send messages to your fellow players (or npcs) Negotiate with, lie to, or just taunt your fellow players. You might be surprised who is willing to work with you. You are also free to send messages to any npc in the world. If you want to communicate with someone outside of Phaedra, let me know and we'll figure it out. Also, this world is filled with hidden places and secrets. Feel free to negotiate with these folks as you see fit, you never know who is willing to work with you ## Be creative Out-flank, out-maneuver. The most successful commanders in this game aren't the ones with the most troops, they are the ones who put their operational boons to the best effect. ## Use your assets Most factions have a list of assets in their faction sheets. These are resources that can be used, but you have to figure out how to best make use of them.
2025-05-29T12:08:36.904-07:00
I agree. I’m confident enough that they’re in the desert that we structure our plans around choking them out. <@msquixotic> what counts as a stronghold for the sentinels? What are the routes from the desert to Ther Kuldir that an army could travel through?
2025-05-29T12:12:44.613-07:00
Anything that can be sieged (fortified towns, keeps, castles, forts)
2025-05-29T12:13:17.419-07:00
Look at the map and figure that out for yourself
2025-05-29T12:43:19.999-07:00
More of a question of how tall are the mts of chaos, and what’s the black circle terrain?
2025-05-29T12:44:02.016-07:00
I’m going to write up some regions descriptions and a key for the map later today, that will help
2025-05-29T12:44:03.534-07:00
And is the space by hogwhales tower passable from the west? I can’t tell how much space is between the mts and the tower
2025-05-29T12:44:12.837-07:00
Okay word, that’s more what I’m looking for
2025-05-29T12:44:36.859-07:00
An army could pass by hogwhale’s tower for sure
2025-05-29T12:46:21.335-07:00
Whatever we do, we should play off of the Sentinels counting as 4x numbers when defending a stronghold. I don’t think we should ever commit serious forces to a field skirmish, so we need figure out a place and way to funnel them, or at least funnel a majority/half of their forces
2025-05-29T12:48:19.379-07:00
We could post scouts at the north and south end of the river and then position forces accordingly as well.
2025-05-29T13:19:55.504-07:00
So I'm thinking divide and conquer
2025-05-29T13:20:55.548-07:00
Like we send a missive to the Cult of Apollo offering to basically leave them in charge if they turn on the Northern Covenant.
2025-05-29T13:21:38.652-07:00
Also, of the three tentpoles of the NC, I'd say that Hobbit mayor is our best bet.
2025-05-29T15:50:05.811-07:00
The skeletons are cleverly disguised by wearing clothes! But yes, it's a fairly dangerous method, as getting skeletons destroyed says we're nearby. Mainly, Seregra doesn't trust the mindless undead to be very good scouts -- she trusts them getting destroyed as a known direction that's a problem though! oh and yup, I'm merely sending orders/flavor early, lemme know if I'm missing anything! I'm curious about troop numbers and all that
2025-05-29T15:51:18.397-07:00
Okay, thats totally cool then, I like that
2025-05-29T16:08:25.230-07:00
Reading the info -- I'm gonna assume we keep some humans as messengers (skeletons are only more trustworthy messengers to Seregra, not everyone else understands.) 1. I'd like to send a few camel riders to the nomads. They're primarily looking for stragglers, or folks stuck in the desert alone -- those folks are the most likely to join Ardonis at his keep. (Seregra has a minimum of living followers in her processions.) But, they'd also send messengers that they're a band of ... not imperials... looking to hire folks... who often can't work. Mercenaries, armorers, chefs, and related folks. They'd also accept criminals, because the cannibals gotta eat, and Ardonis prefers not to waste the useful living. 2. I also want to send a request to the Minotaur King, asking him if the burial rights of his people would allow for their holy resurrection -- he is not a heretic, so this Blessed gift may be bestowed by the union of our peoples. 3. Seregra will not deal with the fae. Their messengers would not be harmed, and she hasn't received any messages from them yet, but there have been long-standing orders to burn any message the fae send without reading it, while inside a circle of salt, then smashing the embers out with an iron hammer. Also as we get going -- lemme know if you have a preference for format -- I'm enjoying this but I don't wanna be too verbose, and I want to make sure running the game is fun too!
2025-05-29T17:08:11.028-07:00
# Map This represents what most people understand about the country, Phaedra. It may or may not actually be accurate
2025-05-29T17:09:35.292-07:00
<@&1376683054965194792> Map is updated with missing names (and a key). The glossary now includes regions, and there’s a list of tips in <#1370529369910411294> I recommend for overwhelmed players. Also I added a few new rules to the rules doc
2025-05-29T17:11:28.712-07:00
For messages, giving the actual contents of the message would be great
2025-05-29T20:03:33.159-07:00
<@Seregra the Cantorshade> You receive a message: “Do you need any help scouting the desert for empire troops? We have reason to believe they are using illusory magic to conceal their movements, and are looking into a solution. If it would be beneficial, we could send some units to help, assuming you can help muster up the supplies to support them. Feel free to respond to this message with any questions, concerns, or requests. PS: If you have any information on where the nomads have been hunting, or the movements of any notable factions, please share them. We are eager to kill these zealous fools in any fashion, perhaps forcing them into a skirmish could be beneficial? PPS: According to our divination specialists, these are the dates that would be good for combat: Stars aligned for Aggressors: June 4 July 20 August 9 Stars aligned for Defenders: June 10 July 7th August 29th -Win-Chester the Wizard, on behalf of Northern Covenant”
2025-05-29T20:04:31.793-07:00
also just making sure you see this
2025-05-29T23:08:43.858-07:00
Cool yeah that makes sense, ha. Thanks!
2025-05-29T23:12:43.390-07:00
📜 Message for Desert Nomads (via camel-mounted human messengers) *Posted several times outside taverns* From the Shade of the Hollow Marsh To the Lost and the Left-Behind We are not of the Empire. We are not of the Chain. If you are cast out, cast adrift, cast aside—*come to us*. The Bone Lord has need of mercenaries, smiths, cooks, cutters, and quiet hands. We do not ask your crimes. We do not ask your scars. We do not ask your oaths to dead kings. The keep in the sandstone hills welcomes those the world forgets. If you cannot serve the living, you may yet aid the dead. Walk, ride, or crawl—we will see you fed. Mark the sign of three bones bound in ribbon; we will meet you where the dunes weep blood. — *Seregra*, Cantorshade of the Hollow Marsh
2025-05-29T23:17:22.086-07:00
📜 Message for the Minotaur King To His Majesty the Minotaur King, Horn-Lord of the Forbidden Isle, whose dominion none trespass and none forget, I am Seregra, Cantorshade of the Hollow Marsh, emissary of Ardonis the Bone Lord, who claims no island, and covets no throne. Your realm stands apart—untouched, uninvited, and inviolate. We have heard this and honor it. We send no ships. We breach no shores. Yet your name echoes even in the dry places. Among the shallow graves of the western sands lie those who bore your blood or your banner—fallen far from the rites their rest deserves. If your people’s customs allow it, we ask only this: permission. That your dead may walk once more—raised not in mockery, but in sacred service. Our Bone Lord does not claim their souls. He gives them back their voice. If this notion offends, we will speak no further. If it intrigues, we would walk the winding path of respect and rite. **In Death, a Choir.** — *Seregra*, Cantorshade of the Hollow Marsh
2025-05-29T23:39:09.033-07:00
📜 Message from Ardonis to Win-Chester the Wizard To the Esteemed Win-Chester the Wizard, and through him the honored minds of the Northern Covenant, Your message arrives most welcome. Aid in scouting is not merely accepted—it is *desired*. Our efforts have thus far met with modest success and one rather unwise mirage that attempted to sign a treaty. Cantorshade Seregra has been—how shall I phrase it—*insistent *that my approach to reconnaissance lacks a certain “clarity of bone and purpose.” Her lamentations have not gone unheard. Your offer spares me a week’s worth of sullen singing and three dust verses. For that alone, you have my gratitude. As to supplies: please, banish the word “forage” from your concern. My kitchens are staffed by heretics of excellent palate and dubious moral history. We will provide *banquets*. If your scouts can stomach the occasional skeletal footman holding the ladle, they shall want for nothing. I will dispatch a guide to meet your arriving units—likely a librarian and her retinue, as they are adept at navigating both maps and moody ghosts. If you require fireproof satchels or illusion-breaking talismans, speak soon. We’ve melted a few already testing them on one of my sergeants. He is fine. Regarding your query: The nomads have fled their position southwest of my dread keep, picking up their silly little homes. My cantorshade is on her way to take what they left behind. Or whom they left behind, as it may be. Ever your charming cryptographer, *Ardonis*, Bone Lord of the Dustward Keep *(Sealed with lacquer and ash, carried by a mounted courier wearing half a smile.)*
2025-05-29T23:40:00.479-07:00
Does that work for Ardonis' tone? I know you rp'd as Ardonis a bit with the folks who sent this one so I want to check if this feels "kinda right" for yon Bone Lord
2025-05-30T01:02:17.720-07:00
This is bomb, he barely was a character before, he had like one scene
2025-05-30T07:02:34.466-07:00
Agreed. So take them with me, fortify that area, retreat if we catch wind of them in a different area?
2025-05-30T07:06:30.391-07:00
Based on the map, if they want avoid coming that way, they have to travel through the mountains. And I'll take that. Either they have to siege a town, or cross through the mountains of chaos. A fat W either way.
2025-05-30T09:32:39.863-07:00
Long term, I don't think we can suffer the Cult of Apollo. If they want to convert, then I could see that being arranged.
2025-05-30T09:33:08.923-07:00
Short term, I don't have a problem turning the unfaithful against one another.
2025-05-30T09:35:24.143-07:00
What kind of troops are you deploying where. I get the sense that my army is small but fights very effectively into heretics.
2025-05-30T09:38:21.381-07:00
Strategically, it would be helpful to link up with Brackenwold (in Dolmenwood). We have resources there that we can pull in for resupply.
2025-05-30T09:40:45.130-07:00
Also, my intel tells me that if we can sieze Brandonsford, we might be able to turn that into a stable base of operations
2025-05-30T09:41:09.937-07:00
Connect to supplies lines to the East and levy troops there
2025-05-30T09:44:19.172-07:00
We could steal a march through the Underdark and sack Thassini?
2025-05-30T09:45:34.506-07:00
Then from there we could probe the defenses at Ther Khuldir and decide whether we want to go there or to Brandonsford.
2025-05-30T11:09:07.623-07:00
Only fortified towns get seiged btw, which Thassini is not, an army can just march past it
2025-05-30T11:11:29.225-07:00
updated your settlement list
2025-05-30T11:13:27.515-07:00
# Imperial settlements: ## Secret base: - fortified camp - 60575 loot, 22,100 supplies - garrison: 1st Kaystros Century (riflemen, 900), Imperial Illusonist (level 5, keeping up the mirage), Temple Soldiers (500).
2025-05-30T11:14:59.420-07:00
# Nomad settlements: ## Worm Fields - Town (kind of) - loot: 10000 - supplies: 56k (minus those used by the 2 families over 3 weeks) - garrison: 2 families (120 worm hunters) ## Highlands Town - Town - loot: 30k - supplies: 20k
2025-05-30T11:16:19.802-07:00
# Chaos Settlements ## Chaos Keep - Fortress - Loot: 100k - Supplies: 50k - garrison: 250 bloodreavers, 50 mighty skullcrushers
2025-05-30T11:18:54.798-07:00
# Cult of Apollo settlements ## Argope - fortified town - loot: 30k - supplies: 30k - garrison: 250 infantry ## Camp Kourotrophos - fortress - loot 149000 - supplies: 5,250 - garrison: 250 infantry, 50 cavalry ## Themikos - town - loot: 50000 - supplies: 60000 - garrison: ## Fort Sabylmis - Fortress - loot: 0 - supplies: 330825 - garrison 250 infantry, 50 cavalry - walls destroyed!
2025-05-30T11:19:01.572-07:00
2025-05-30T11:19:07.647-07:00
2025-05-30T11:19:12.538-07:00
2025-05-30T11:19:17.423-07:00
2025-05-30T11:20:24.936-07:00
# Necromantic Settlements: ## Necro keep - Fortress - loot: 44300 - supplies: 6590 - garrison: 250 skeletons, 50 skeletal cavalry, Bone Worm 1 (320 fighting capability) - other: 10 spare wagons
2025-05-30T11:20:56.957-07:00
You would have expected this messenger back by now, but they never returned
2025-05-30T12:21:17.606-07:00
Oh. That is a lot of loot.
2025-05-30T12:29:40.513-07:00
- added kindred (races) to glossary. - added colors and insignias to the glossary for factions that had them, feel free to invent something if you don't have one listed - everyone should have their settlement stats now
2025-05-30T12:35:58.382-07:00
A field report (this was fic that the necromancer faction wrote that deals with your faction): Field Report – Cult of Apollo Watchpost Transcribed from a recovered journal fragment Early summer observation Author: Callion Ekmenes, coastal scout, southern watchpost “…we heard them before we saw them. Slow, harmonic piping. The echoes lingered. We watched from a ridge above the Blackwater flats as the Bone Lord’s dead passed below, but this wasn’t like the others. No wagon trains, no marching chants, just a slow procession in song. At the front: a floating figure -- pale and translucent, only her mouth moved. She sang, and the dead sang with her. All of them sang. Then we saw the saints. Their relic-flesh strung upright like standards, lips sewn in complex stitches. Their jaws moved, intoning verses of noble purpose. One of our priests vomited. I wanted to listen closer, which scared me more than anything.”
2025-05-30T12:41:00.174-07:00
Truly a paltry sum for the Empire. The camp has been receiving supplies and loot quietly for a few months now. You may have more loot and supplies than you can take with you, however
2025-05-30T13:03:21.703-07:00
There's a strong argument for just leaving the hidden base and killing everyone who knows anything about it. These goblins... what faith are they?
2025-05-30T13:10:48.245-07:00
Hard to guess. they are from the underdark. which has their own culture and religions
2025-05-30T20:11:08.682-07:00
Oh yeah no sorry, to be clear, I am LYING to them. It's temporary. We just fuck them whenever we stop benefitting from them.
2025-05-30T20:12:24.676-07:00
In fairness, once we leave, it's GONE. It won't matter who knows.
2025-05-30T20:17:09.785-07:00
Honestly that's my preferred method.
2025-05-30T20:18:10.099-07:00
We send in the army and offer clemency for unconditional surrender. Any other response, we just kill everyone. Make clear we aren't going to dick around.
2025-05-31T11:35:17.581-07:00
This morning, a rag-tag group of men and women on camels show up on the keep's doorstep, bloody set of messages in hand. Most are equipped with long spears and strange metal tubes. One, with what looks like a corpse on the back of his camel, calls out: "Hey, you all, uh, looking for more hands? We've got hungry warriors. We found your messages in the desert, we think those damn nomads killed your messenger. We've got a bone to pick with the nomads, if you are interested in hearing about it." The warriors are willing to work for mercenary pay.
2025-05-31T11:38:12.391-07:00
Scouting update: A mass of poachers were seen headed to the necromancer's fort, to the northeast of you.
2025-05-31T12:22:20.542-07:00
The gates of the sandstone keep groan open with unexpected refinement. A procession emerges—silent skeletons in tarnished livery bearing trays of citrus-glazed lentils, rose-scented rice, and spit-roasted meats lacquered with spice and honey. Crystal pitchers of wine and cool water shimmer in the desert sun. One skeleton—clearly the maître d’, given his impeccable posture—motions grandly toward a shaded pavilion just inside the courtyard. There are cushions. There are parasols. There are exquisitely folded napkins. Only once the mercenaries are seated and served does Seregra appear. She drifts from the central tower, robes tinkling with stitched bone-charms. She halts at the edge of the pavilion. *“Ardonis insists that even strangers be fed as honored guests.”* She looks to the corpse. *“That one died today. Violently. Perhaps his mouth has not yet forgotten speech.”* With a gesture, a trio of skeletal attendants lifts the body gently from the camel and arranges it on a linen-draped table beside the meal. Seregra raises both hands, her sleeves falling back to reveal translucent fingers flecked with wards. She sings, and the maître d’ conducts the harmonizing bone waitstaff. Several verses later, their work is complete. Seregra steps back and inclines her head toward the newly risen. *“Now. Tell me—who killed you?”* She trails off. Behind her, the choir of skeletons begins a low humming.
2025-05-31T12:48:53.323-07:00
(I don’t have a ton of time for a back and forth but I can respond a little more). The men and women look pretty uncomfortable until the food arrives. Then you see the leader choke on his bite as you ask your question to the newly risen corpse. The corpse’s head rolls back, its neck broken, as it points a finger to the leader of the mercenaries. The leader says: “Okay, okay, it was an accident. Your messenger came through our camp at the wrong time and he got killed before we realized that he just was some guy. We do want to work for you though, alright? Maybe just let this one slide? I still got information on the nomads, they’re up to something”
2025-05-31T12:49:29.126-07:00
do i know anything about the necromancers fort and the northern covenant base? like are they big bases with lots of defenses and soldiers, that would require a large force to attack, or just smaller forts that would be vulnerable to a siege/sneak attack? do i have diplomatic relations with the northern covenant? like is there an ambassador who i could task with finding out what they're up to?
2025-05-31T12:57:32.344-07:00
One of your nomads joined a party of Northern Covenant adventurers to spy on them, and he visited both the necro keep and the northern covenant base, so he can give you details on both. The necronancer’s fortress has around 500-750 troops right now. If the main army ever leaves, it would likely still have a garrison of around 250-300 troops, by your best guess. You know the exact location as well. It would likely require a large army to siege it successfully. The Northern Covenant base is also a fortress, they have less troops but those who are there are preparing for a protected siege, just in case. Also would likely require a decent army to siege. You do not have a formal diplomatic relationship with the NC but could attempt to establish one if you wish. You could definitely send an ambassador there and see what happens. I’d consider that under the ‘sending messages’ rules
2025-05-31T13:46:18.287-07:00
where specifically was this report sourced from? South of Camp Kourotrophos?
2025-05-31T13:47:28.148-07:00
Who owns hogwhole tower? Is that it's own fortress or part of Argope?
2025-05-31T13:48:17.848-07:00
There appears to be a fort north of Fort Sabylmis. I would like to send scouts to look into that.
2025-05-31T13:49:59.353-07:00
I also want to talk to locals and find anyone who has insight into the badlands and the mountains of chaos that are north of my area. Mostly for pathfinders that would know of ways you would be able to move people through.
2025-05-31T14:07:21.906-07:00
This would be from north of Nyophani
2025-05-31T14:08:24.730-07:00
It is its own thing, seperate from Argope. The tower of the great wizard in the land, Master Hogwhale. He's not formerally associated with any factions but you would know he's been cosying up with the Northern Covenant over the last month, rumor has it that he's joined them for the war.
2025-05-31T14:09:40.907-07:00
You wouldn't happen to have my faction information handy would you? My commander sheet with units. I can't seem to find it.
2025-05-31T14:10:02.929-07:00
(link removed)
2025-05-31T14:11:37.287-07:00
Scouting happens passively around your army, and you aren't close enough to have scouts nearby, so you'll need to move your army in order to know more. Because you live close, you do know that some strange barbarians inhabit the region. They are aggresive to anyone who comes near, so you don't know too much about them.
2025-05-31T14:11:52.688-07:00
There's a section in the rules about hiring locals to ask information, you should do that
2025-05-31T14:12:44.470-07:00
Can I know all the factions in the game, or is that something I need to learn as the game goes on?
2025-05-31T14:13:28.840-07:00
It's all in the glossary, any factions there are in the game. There's plenty of npc groups as well that you might hear of too
2025-05-31T14:14:55.849-07:00
The humming continues. *"Very well, an accident. Tell me what you know."*
2025-05-31T14:15:16.996-07:00
You sent me a link for my commander and all his traits if I remember correctly, could you send that to me again here?
2025-05-31T14:15:51.737-07:00
(link removed)
2025-05-31T14:16:08.786-07:00
And your faction sheet: (link removed)
2025-05-31T14:19:26.898-07:00
sadge, I can't recruit non-humans.
2025-05-31T14:19:34.087-07:00
GUESS THOSE CENTAURS GOTTA DIE
2025-05-31T14:20:01.171-07:00
actually... not true... MonkaHmmmm
2025-05-31T14:20:07.172-07:00
"They hunt those big worms, you know? They hunt them every year, and every year they keep them to themselves. Those worms have *power*, I know it. The nomads hunt and kill anyone who ever gets a piece of one. They'll sell for a ton of the black market if we can ever get our hands on one, but honestly I want get one just so we can find out what's so special about 'em. It's got to be something huge, since the nomads are so protective of them."
2025-05-31T14:20:25.789-07:00
I just can't use them with troops from Apollo territories?
2025-05-31T14:20:53.993-07:00
Sorry, repeat your question?
2025-05-31T14:21:38.772-07:00
`Armies comprised of troops from Cult of Apollo territories have a base morale of 10 and refuse to work with non-human troops.` Which means, if I have troops from outside of Apollo Territories, they will work with non-human troops?
2025-05-31T14:24:59.167-07:00
Yeah, that would work. You’d mostly likely need a second (human) commander though, since you would have to do something with your initial troops
2025-05-31T14:28:22.706-07:00
*"I see. How did the nomads transgress against you?"*
2025-05-31T14:31:37.710-07:00
Is the Cult of Apollo at odds with the Northern Covenant?
2025-05-31T14:33:01.175-07:00
From what I can tell in the glossary. The answer is yes.
2025-05-31T14:36:39.902-07:00
Yes, you two are the biggest factions in Phaedra. You worked together to kick the empire out 50 years ago but your values are very different. Plus they are mostly demi-humans. You mostly don’t really get along
2025-05-31T14:37:19.097-07:00
Alright, I would like to pick your brain. I have a laundry list of stuff I wanna do but don't know the direct steps to do so. These are not in priority order. * I want to claim the fort north of Fort Sabylmis. * I want to use 100 loot to talk to a guide who is an expert on the barbarians * I want to recruit a second commander to manage a second group of non-human army used for specific regional warfare and diplomacy. * I want to use 100 loot to talk to a guide who is an expert about paths coming from the north * Basically the Badlands and the Mountains of Chaos * I want to send an envoy to Hogwhole Tower to broker a pact with Master Hogwhole * Basically see if I can convert him to my cause instead of the Northern Covenant. * I want to look into one of my assets * `Trove of knowledge: The Cult has a large library dedicated to knowledge of the old gods and how they function. They might be able to find out secrets about the gods, if enough time is given` * I want to send a scouting party to Murder Island, maybe the Spears of Apollo? * I also want to try to make a road that goes north of Fort Sabylmis and conects to the northern road
2025-05-31T14:38:42.313-07:00
Zooming out: After hearing the reason, and a demonstration of how the tubes work, unless they do/say something abhorrent, Seregra will have them escorted to a selection of accommodations. She will assign the slain messenger to follow the leader and make sure he is honest and not a spy, and also to undermine his authority with his band.
2025-05-31T14:47:57.499-07:00
- you can hire someone, I think you are close enough to just do this. Write up your 3 questions and I will give you answers tomorrow - for the second commander, you'll need to find a human who wants to play. If you absolutely can't find someone, I can help eventually but not this weekend - and you can hire someone for the mountains too, you know there are rangers who live in the mountains, it will take a few days to find one. Write up your 3 questions for this and I will get back to you in a few days - Compose a message and I will send it along to master hogwhale - totally. For the trove, assemble a couple questions and it will be a few weeks before you get answers - and this works as intrigue using the spears of apollo, I think it's a good use for a party. This will be part of your orders tomorrow, feel free to get as specific as you want and then this will play out in real time - and this is rad, let me figure something out for this
2025-05-31T15:09:03.835-07:00
Given they are vulnerable now, they just give in and tell you that they are worm poachers. They want to get you to help them capture some worms but are willing to do whatever, assuming you pay well. Things have been hard for them, and the nomads give no quarter. The tubes you learn are guns, and are quite powerful, if finicky. They seem to jam often, and the poachers have limited ammo for them. (They are cavalry, are desert locals and you can ask them questions, plus you can use their guns for tactical advantages if you can figure out uses for them. There's about 50 + non-combatants)
2025-05-31T15:09:44.690-07:00
Let me know if you want to hire them. Check the mercenary rules in the doc, they would cost 150 loot a day for all of them, starting tomorrow
2025-05-31T15:11:34.352-07:00
Could I ask Hands-bound-by-crows (link removed), what resources Master Hogwhole would be interested in, and verify that we have such resources? Also ask Hands-bound-by-crows what their opinion on Master Hogwhole is and his temperment if they know?
2025-05-31T15:12:35.413-07:00
I should give you quick info on the spears of apollo too: - Adreas and Roxanni are siblings from Argope - Gusil is a dwarf from a distant land. He is on okay terms with the dwarves here. He is an expert in astrology - Hands-bound-by-crows is an elf from Dolmenwood.
2025-05-31T15:13:15.637-07:00
I would like to ask the siblings as well, as Argope is pretty close to the tower 😄
2025-05-31T15:15:04.717-07:00
Hands-bound-by-crows is trained in a different magic school then Master Hogwhale so he hasn't met him. He knows Master Hogwhale loves magic items though, he sends adventurers out for all kinds. And Master Hogwhale, to put it simply, has a classic wizard temperment. Like gandolf
2025-05-31T15:15:32.066-07:00
They would have the same things to say. It is inevitable that they've worked with Master Hogwhale, who pays well for jobs.
2025-05-31T15:44:41.616-07:00
Prepare for spam
2025-05-31T15:44:47.667-07:00
Barbarians * Do they speak the same language as us? * Can you give us a short description of what their mentality is on war? * What is their religion?
2025-05-31T15:44:56.204-07:00
Wayfinders * Mark on the map all areas you know of that would allow a notable amount (10+) of people to cross quickly through the mountains of chaos * If you were forced to cross the mountains of madness from Thessini, The Desert, or the Plains of sorrow. How would you do it? * Does anyone live in the Mountains of Chaos?
2025-05-31T15:46:52.572-07:00
Hogwhole Letter To the esteemed Master Hogwhole, My name is Aratus Phebes, I am a man of some importance within the Cult of Apollo. I will be frank, as to respect your time and to let you understand the man you are conversing with as much as ink and vellum can. Your tower is situated in a tactical position that is both concerning to the Cults continued existence and conversely, a great fulcrum for our ability for travel to the greater continent. It is my desire to be on friendly terms with you for these reasons, as such I would like to approach you for the chance of partnership with the Cult of Apollo and your Tower. We can offer the opportunity to research some of our cult's relics (albeit supervised for reasons I don't need to explain) within a secured area for the chance to foster positive relations with your tower. It is among one of my deepest desires for your positive response. From, Stratigos Aratus Phebes Let the river's babbles communicate our desire for collaboration
2025-05-31T15:47:04.099-07:00
Trove * List of gods * Their affinity * Their relationships with one another * Their potential relationships with the new gods
2025-05-31T15:47:17.912-07:00
Mission Missive To the Spears of Apollo, This is a matter of solemn secrecy. We are woefully underinformed as to the matters occurring on Murder Island. It is my request to retain your teams abilities for the purpose of scouting Murder Island. In order to fully understand the scope of this mission, I have come to the decision that your party will need to be informed of our end goal as it pertains to Murder Island. We need to acquire this island, whether through military or political maneuvering to maintain the security of our cult. As such, the following non-comprehensive list of criteria explains the type of information we are looking for. * Strongholds * Cultural Composition of Island * Political parties * Potential footholds for aquatic invasion Any additional information you can provide using your experience is also accepted and appreciated. Your teams findings will be the pillar upon which our conquest will be built. As such, in the event of success of our conquest of the island your team will be forever known within the history of our cult and comparable compensation will be provided. A reminder though that should this missive be released, the full fury of our cult will reluctantly be placed upon you. Failure is acceptable, however releasing of this information is not. Please come back alive. Completely destroy this missive after reading. Signed Stratigos Aratus Phebes Let the waves of the ocean not be seen as a farewell, but the beckoning of the cult for your safe return
2025-05-31T15:48:40.248-07:00
The Post script on both of these are me trying to incorporate the Poet trait on (link removed)
2025-05-31T16:01:10.513-07:00
Hired! We pay them 160 loot per day (gourmet food served by skeletal butlers is the excess.) We're also happy to inform them that their future payments will be rendered in the worms we will poa... ranch together.
2025-05-31T18:59:50.988-07:00
<@&1376683054965194792> First orders are tomorrow! I hope y'all are prepared! I also updated the glossary with a few notable figures from the region.
2025-05-31T19:26:01.291-07:00
Ahhhhhh I forgot about something. Y’all have some prototype cannons I need to stat out still
2025-05-31T20:02:29.046-07:00
<@msquixotic>, just to confirm: orders go to you in a DM?
2025-05-31T20:06:22.299-07:00
Starting radio silence tomorrow, so GLHF to all involved!
2025-05-31T21:23:43.310-07:00
Yes! Those with private channels are welcome to post there, but those of you who are sharing may want to dm me directly
2025-05-31T21:28:57.429-07:00
O dam
2025-05-31T21:32:02.256-07:00
How much do these goblins want paid to guide us through the underdark
2025-05-31T21:34:23.382-07:00
I think they are basically going to be siege weapons that don't need to be carried by wagon (which is good, since y'all take can't wagons off-road). You have 10. We'll say you need to keep 75 supplies of room free per cannon you want to take with you.
2025-05-31T21:37:10.954-07:00
You'll need to adjust your loot by hand per day, if that's alright
2025-05-31T21:47:04.304-07:00
This work? (link removed) (In theory, this could be a shared ~workbook, with each faction owning a sheet only they can see, but, 🤷♀️)
2025-05-31T21:55:06.683-07:00
To make thing simplier, you can just pay them in advance. That will be way easier
2025-05-31T21:56:21.556-07:00
<@Win-chester, Wizard> <@Spymaster Cassian> I changed my mind about something, you can pay mercenaries in advance. That will simplify calcualtions by a ton. When you turn in orders tomorrow, decide how long you want to pay your mercs for, calculate it, and we'll take it from Ther Khuldir's loot stockpile
2025-06-01T00:35:06.807-07:00
I’ll draw up a simple contract tomorrow instead.
2025-06-01T04:07:52.372-07:00
Bet. I'm sure this is a lot to juggle, so do whatever makes it easier on you.
2025-06-01T04:08:12.231-07:00
If it hasn't been said, I very much appreciate the effort you're putting into this. It's very cool of you to do.
2025-06-01T09:22:08.836-07:00
Before we leave can I ask hogwhale how many soldiers he expects to be able to raise?
2025-06-01T09:25:37.331-07:00
Also does anybody have a claim on the great company calvary? I think it makes sense for me to have calvary so I can scout things out
2025-06-01T09:29:05.147-07:00
Trying to figure out exactly who I'm taking with me. The plan right now is to go to hogwhales tower, raise troops he has loyal to him, and then either do some scouting in the desert, or fortify camp kourowhatever/argone if that's allowed. I'll send messages.
2025-06-01T09:44:07.577-07:00
Good morning! Been thinking about my starting moves, but want to know a couple quick things. What's my starting supplies count and for the lands surrounding my keep, do I need to scout them? Thanks for the info.
2025-06-01T10:26:45.130-07:00
Have been working a lot recently so I've been afk, mb. Let's not keep a standing army so far down south. Let's send you, the GC Cavalry, and 25 Wayfarers. That'll be a substantial show of military readiness to the people in Southern Phaedra and Hogwhale. Let's also split those 25 Wayfarers into scouting parties posted at each of the 5 locations marked in Southern Phaedra, with orders to keep eyes on the road and other passages for imperial scouts or troops. In the case of finding scouts, they should be trailed until they arrive at their destination, and then our scouts report back to Ther Kuldir immediately. We should keep the rest of our standing army positioned outside of Thassini. IMO Whether or not they come through the South or the North, they have to come through Thassini without being hit by the random shit in the wilderness. We can adjust as we get scouting info.
2025-06-01T10:28:04.645-07:00
I'll also just give you control of the 250 Wayfarers and 250 GC Cavalry while I'm at it. If you're going to be more mobile, that makes sense. I can take control of our siege and infantry units. While you're down with Hogwhale, see if you can message the Apollo people too for plans and ideas.
2025-06-01T11:28:07.052-07:00
You can’t send troops to arbitrary places like this, either you garrison them inside your own places or they are in your army. Having the skirmishers gives a huge passive scouting range for your army tho
2025-06-01T11:46:20.821-07:00
<@Stratigos Aratus Phebes "The Soft-Spoken General"> You receive a message: Worthy representatives of the Cult of Apollo: As I write to you the clouds grow dark overhead. A storm is brewing and I fear there will be much turmoil in the months to come. What say we shelter together and weather the worst of it? While traditionally our two faiths have been in conflict, I propose we turn and work against your neighbors and rivals, the Northern Covenant. Their idolatrous faith in the god Hekate and uproarious conduct renders future conflict inevitable. If we work together, we can blunt their ambitions then come to some mutually beneficial understanding. March north and let's ensure the future stability of this region! I have urged General Oäldoriaus of the Vitalian Empire to make similar overtures. You should receive (or perhaps already have received) correspondence to that effect. Ultimately, ours is a mission of peace and order. There is no reason that any Phaedran of conscience need stand against us. Humbly, Bishop Martina Attaliate Church of the One True God
2025-06-01T11:50:00.428-07:00
The Northern Covenant receives a message: Reprehensible curs, Die, and in dying know that your false gods are but dust and vanity before the One True God. Those who would like to convert, throw down your arms now and await our arrival on bended knee. Humbly, Bishop Martina Attaliate Church of the One True God
2025-06-01T11:53:22.637-07:00
How long do y'all want to a sign a contract with the company for?
2025-06-01T11:54:32.397-07:00
Your army sheet shows your currnet supplies on the left, and your scouts automatically scout around you, let me give you some details of the lands around:
2025-06-01T12:17:52.846-07:00
Immediately surrounding you is: - lairs of your chaos warriors to the NW - The strange valley your warbeasts come from to the NE - W is a giant horseshoe - SW is an exit from the mountains, into badlands. - any other direction is mountains Farther to the east from your position is plains, and farther to the west is desert. North and south are more mountains (much more to the' north than the south)
2025-06-01T12:22:07.567-07:00
Can we sign a month-long contract and just renew as needed?
2025-06-01T12:22:14.625-07:00
I don't really know how to gauge how long this is going to take
2025-06-01T12:22:28.272-07:00
And we want them for as long as the Empire is clearly planning on attacking
2025-06-01T12:23:19.402-07:00
I'm confused - we can't station them outside of Thassini or are you talking about the Wayfarers?
2025-06-01T12:28:08.926-07:00
Never mind, I see what you're saying. In that case, I'll just give the Wayfarers and the Cavalry to Winchester since he'll be performing more scouting exploits, and he can take them down south.
2025-06-01T12:33:27.143-07:00
Going over the rules, I feel like keeping Winchester's army out scouting with the rest of the forces stationed in Ther Kuldir is still the best move - the numerical advantage we get is significantly more than we get from anything else in the ruleset. Our morale is high, it's a +5 bonus for just being in the fortress, on top of the fact that we can't be surprised, it's advantageous terrain (I assume), etc.
2025-06-01T12:34:01.983-07:00
I don't think there's anyway that we get a statistical advantage (rules wise) higher than that outside of the city
2025-06-01T12:36:23.963-07:00
We have 175 sentinels (combining mine and the ones garrisoned) and they get quadrupled for numerical advantage, so our fully stationed army (including your troops) counts as 2750+ men in battle if we stay in Ther Kuldir
2025-06-01T12:36:34.939-07:00
vs ~2,000 combined outside of it
2025-06-01T12:39:53.470-07:00
In sieges, the losing side also loses an addition 10% casualties. If we beat their ass sufficiently hard enough, they could lose like, a quarter or third of the forces they attack with on the first go
2025-06-01T12:40:37.822-07:00
Yeah this works. Terms for the Company: 52,500 loot, to be paid at the end of June from Ther Khuldir. The detachments will join your command structures.
2025-06-01T12:41:33.793-07:00
Great. Was it Marina that arranged this with them? I assume we're just pulling from the 300k we have
2025-06-01T12:42:03.773-07:00
One thing I want to mention: Given you have been in your camp for months, I would allow it to count as fortified and you could keep a garrison there if you wish. You'd need to keep an illusionist there to keep up the mirage, which would reduce the mirror image effectiveness that is happening right now
2025-06-01T12:42:24.135-07:00
Yup
2025-06-01T12:43:29.958-07:00
Terms for the poachers: They'll take 4,800 loot at the end of June for their services, they swear their fealty to you and will perform what you wish of them.
2025-06-01T12:43:44.895-07:00
Word. Side note, are roles made for battles and morale and such made by you? I assume so
2025-06-01T12:44:34.708-07:00
Honest answer: IDK yet
2025-06-01T12:44:45.417-07:00
Okay, doesn't make a difference, I was just curious
2025-06-01T12:46:23.536-07:00
Terms for goblins and Win-Chester's mercs: 12,450 to be paid at end of June from Ther Khuldir. They will only work for Win-Chester.
2025-06-01T12:48:06.963-07:00
I'll also pass off the axe and rope to Edvaxia before we start moving as well. Do you have a description for the rope on hand? Will severing it cease its magical effect?
2025-06-01T12:49:49.694-07:00
- No, but you have translators that can help (they speak Woldish, the language of Dolmenwood) - No idea. They are only interested in talking to priests, they won't let anyone else in their compound - Recent converts to the faith of the One True God, it seems
2025-06-01T12:50:49.622-07:00
Rope of Unburdening A 20’ long enchanted rope which, when hitched to an object, makes that object feel as light as a feather to the person pulling the load. To everyone else the object retains its normal weight. The rope loses its magic if cut
2025-06-01T12:51:21.114-07:00
Excellent, I'll tell her to cut the rope if she falls. I'll impress upon her that if the Empire gets it, we're probably fucked
2025-06-01T12:51:26.325-07:00
That thing would fuck up Ther Kuldir lol
2025-06-01T12:51:46.039-07:00
Yeah it would level it lol. The dwarves keep an eye on it everytime it is inside
2025-06-01T12:53:27.189-07:00
BTW: re: road building: I am coming up with rule still. The speed would depend on if you have your army working on it or not. Likely it would take a few months, but also I fucked something up on the map, and that correction will help you
2025-06-01T12:54:04.815-07:00
so jealous that she gets to take it into battle
2025-06-01T12:54:38.481-07:00
Nevermind, it is on the map. There is a road from Camp K to the barbarian fort already
2025-06-01T12:57:59.391-07:00
You receive a message from the Minotaur King: "Keep your death cultist hands off of our corpses. We have thrashed you many times, and we will continue to do so. Come out of your village and talk to us like men, you pale-skinned cowards. Rest in shit, you fiends. - The Minotaur King"
2025-06-01T13:02:41.678-07:00
A chaos storm rages above your keep, and is heading west (You are immune to chaos storms, but no one else is. They cause random effects everyone else).
2025-06-01T13:02:52.239-07:00
(Feel free to call me today if you want to ask questions)
2025-06-01T13:12:05.104-07:00
(link removed)
2025-06-01T13:23:12.742-07:00
You'll need to adjust your loot by hand
2025-06-01T13:52:46.524-07:00
*Orders* Seregra marches w/ 50 (all) cavalry and 150 of 250 skeletal infantry and 50 (all) mercenaries (and their camp followers) to where the nomads abandoned their camp. She'll muster (necromancy) along the way and at the site. Upon arrival, all of infantry will bury themselves shallowly in the sand at the nomad site, aside from the saints, who will sing with her. Mercenaries and cavalry will hunt for worms to capture; Ardonis wants at least one alive. The mercenaries and cavalry have orders to fall back to the ambush site (where the skeletons are buried) if they are engaged by a meaningful force, as well as to draw chaos worms there if they need help catching one alive (or in general.) (Eight buried skeletons are equipped with harpoons, when available, ala the image. Armorers in the keep are instructed to make more harpoons this week.) Ardonis instructed the mercenaries to plunder, not murder before they set out; Seregra did not mention this again. She's hoping primarily to find the remains of animals the nomads ate in order to animate those. * Anything missing orders-wise? Ardonis will remain at the camp and read books. He is searching his tomes for how to animate a chaos worm -- as the bone lord, animating the boneless worms is a new challenge; he needs to figure out how to do this while maintaining his self concept. * Anything Ardonis already knows about the worms, and how to hunt them?
2025-06-01T14:19:23.350-07:00
I meant the necromancer ability to be: If you stay in one spot for a week, you can raise up to 100 troops but I like your version better. How about: Seregra can raise dead as she moves, if the army moves half speed. Ardonis must stay still to use the necromancer ability (if he ever needs to step up as commander) but he can build roads (Seregra cannot). Does this sound good?
2025-06-01T14:19:56.741-07:00
One other note, you will need to leave behind your wagons, as the desert does not have roads
2025-06-01T14:20:52.608-07:00
Love it.
2025-06-01T14:21:38.501-07:00
Understood -- the saints that come along are those that are comfortable being carried on either rickshaws or via palanquin. The ones that use wheels will remain at the fortress w/ the defenders (same numbers.)
2025-06-01T14:31:19.406-07:00
I'm also assuming Ardonis can't raise the dead unless he leaves his keep -- he's already raised every corpse within a mile of his keep. He won't leave his keep unless Seregra is defeated/captured, to maintain the one commander per player rule -- plus he hates leaving his keep and books, because it slows down his most important research.
2025-06-01T14:40:07.508-07:00
Another question, lairs of your chaos warriors to the NW and strange valley your warbeasts come from to the NE, is there any benefit to traveling to these zone. Seems like I already control them
2025-06-01T14:45:03.314-07:00
No, those will be surprises for anyone who’s not you who travels into the mountains tho
2025-06-01T14:46:50.141-07:00
kk, here's my orders for the first week: Start of Campaign: week one Go west to Horse Show zone, hopefully I get some buff. Scout which exposes zone and surrounding zone Forage before continuing travel southwest to Nyohani, looks to be a town, capture it. If time left start raising an army from Nyohani
2025-06-01T14:51:08.867-07:00
Hello all, just a thought. This is the first for me, should be fun. A little worried, I won't do enough. <@msquixotic> do you mind posting a sample week or orders? Thanks in advance
2025-06-01T14:53:09.535-07:00
I don’t really have one, what you posted was great though, you are good!
2025-06-01T14:54:15.545-07:00
Ok, thank you!
2025-06-01T15:47:40.488-07:00
I'll be leaving an illusionist and some troops behind. Let's keep the Duck Blind up for as long as we can, maybe scout periodically for Underdark routes to other locations.
2025-06-01T16:14:53.691-07:00
Oh my god I didn’t know you were doing this
2025-06-01T16:27:45.625-07:00
Also I'm levying troops from Thessina. Either they comply, or we decimate their population. Same losses either way, just that we won't kill recruits lol.
2025-06-01T16:38:19.786-07:00
Eyes <@Spymaster Cassian>, I'm coming for you.
2025-06-01T17:05:34.066-07:00
You receive a message: Message to the cult of Apollo: This may be old news, but we believe the empire is using illusory magic to conceal their movements. I am unsure if this has been followed up on by the witches of Ther Khuldir. Is there any progress on this front or information on how to counter this? From what I can gather, yall are more suited to this sort of sorcery than we are. Also, my plan at the moment is to travel with my armies near your territory, gather troops that are already loyal to someone in our ranks, and potentially fortify that area or scout in the desert for foreign invaders. I believe our best chance of success is to keep them in the desert, or force them to pass through the mountains of chaos. If you have any requests, concerns, or questions, I am more than willing to hear you out. I am relatively new to the politics of Phaedra, and I'm sure there is a complicated past between the churches of Apollo and Hekate. I, perhaps naively, hope this common enemy may provide an avenue to see one another as true allies, not just factions forced to work together for survival. As somebody without direct ties to either faith, my only goal is an independent Phaedra. Should we be victorious, I would have no qualms about using my position of influence in Ther Khuldir to benefit your ends. A strong Apollo presence would be good for everybody in Phaedra. All I ask in return is communication. With regards, Win-Chester. Death to those who would eradicate the old faith.
2025-06-01T17:07:57.215-07:00
<@&1376683054965194792> Do any of y’all have qualms with updating your supply totals once a day?
2025-06-01T17:08:20.062-07:00
Where is this empire hosted from? Is this bishop from the Vitalian Empire?
2025-06-01T17:08:47.541-07:00
The One True God is the church of the Empire
2025-06-01T17:09:22.362-07:00
Thassini?
2025-06-01T17:09:52.601-07:00
An NC town
2025-06-01T17:10:43.216-07:00
I am mostly trying to understand what force the bishop represents and how that is represented on the current map
2025-06-01T17:11:16.159-07:00
Great question! You haven’t known until now that there are church forces in area. They are not on the map
2025-06-01T17:12:04.564-07:00
fun... and who is Win-Chester
2025-06-01T17:12:50.293-07:00
lol, another good question, you would know he’s a member of the Northern Covenant, and a former apprentice of Hogwhale
2025-06-01T17:13:25.046-07:00
Is Cult of Apollo in direct opposition with the Northern Covenant?
2025-06-01T17:14:51.531-07:00
Sorry keeping track of all these factions is hard
2025-06-01T17:15:19.386-07:00
You wouldnt happen to be free for like voice chat?
2025-06-01T17:15:39.206-07:00
Sure, I could do that for a few mins
2025-06-01T17:15:44.361-07:00
Sweeeeet
2025-06-01T17:15:54.931-07:00
brb while I take some recycling out then
2025-06-01T17:19:25.530-07:00
back
2025-06-01T17:38:54.799-07:00
50 Infantry, 50 Cavalry from Fort Sabylmis to Nyophant.
2025-06-01T17:39:46.575-07:00
I would like to task my oracles with looking for hidden armies.
2025-06-01T17:41:45.567-07:00
I would like to raise troops.
2025-06-01T17:49:29.989-07:00
I would like to send some priests for the cult of Apollo to the barbarian camp, for the purpose of spying and potential conversion.
2025-06-01T17:53:55.531-07:00
You cannot move troops around like this, unfortunately. The garrisons in settlements must stay there
2025-06-01T18:10:12.499-07:00
Colors: Bone-white on Black Insignia: A skeletal hand holding an open book
2025-06-01T18:18:16.851-07:00
To the cowards hiding behind their parlor tricks, It is not often that I find myself agreeing with my enemies, however I do agree. There is a storm brewing, so I will be straight forward rather than relying on honeyed words. From my perspective, we have nothing to gain from a collaboration with your _Church_ and much to lose, such as trading a known enemy for one that is _hidden_. There must be a difference in our cultures where requests are given as orders, with backhanded slights, so I will speak plainly. Your church should think twice about ordering the Cult of Apollo to *march*, and you should think thrice before asserting where a Phaedran *stands*. In an effort to avoid future correspondence, I will make the Cult's stance plain. Stay far north of Hogwhole Tower and east of the river connected to Thassini. Any deviance from these parameters will result in my full consideration of the state of my neighbor's affairs. Signed, Stratigos Aratus Phebes Do not let a snake's coils make you forget their fangs.
2025-06-01T18:29:11.167-07:00
I love the little poem endings btw, very cool
2025-06-01T18:29:43.387-07:00
I'm glad
2025-06-01T18:35:25.155-07:00
I'M SO EXCITED FOR THIS GAME
2025-06-01T18:45:42.488-07:00
To my well-established neighbor, This is, unfortunately, news to me. You have my deepest gratitude and my assurance that this is being looked into with the upmost priority. While it is true that the Cult is more apt for countering such measures, they are not easily replicated by those outside the cult. In an act of gratitude, we will provide intelligence of their current positions when it becomes available. Any correspondence with such information will expected to be destroyed afterwards as a gesture of good will between our nations. As far as the military movement so close to the Cult's borders. Do not cross the river and stay north of Hogwhole tower. We lay no claim over the Plains of Sorrow, but should a fortified position be created that could mount an offense against the Cult, I will be forced to intervene with overwhelming force. I am not unreasonable enough to dictate your nation's policies but I will provide an area that would cause issue in an effort to be transparent. As far as the Empire, it is my desire to stay out of the discord unless forced. However, in a moment of vulnerability, it is my desire that your Faction come out on top of this and I am incentivized to covertly offer help. We are a long road from allies, but this is definitely the beginning. One that I have no problem walking with you. As such, I will maintain positive communications with Ther Khuldir and offer a corresponding amount of support as I am able. Best Wishes, Stratigos Aratus Phebes Do not play the pig to eat the tiger against a giant
2025-06-01T18:47:31.672-07:00
2025-06-01T18:49:10.365-07:00
Can I use half of my oracles to look into finding the undead horde the missive gave as well?
2025-06-01T18:52:24.357-07:00
One or the other for the oracles. Either will take a week at least
2025-06-01T18:52:36.457-07:00
pepeHams
2025-06-01T18:52:49.467-07:00
Do you want this picture to be sent with the message?
2025-06-01T18:52:52.948-07:00
Yeah
2025-06-01T18:52:59.199-07:00
Okay tight, will do
2025-06-01T18:54:41.203-07:00
I'll stick to looking for hidden armies for this week...
2025-06-01T18:54:49.203-07:00
Okay!
2025-06-01T18:54:59.937-07:00
James is going to stab me right in the eye...
2025-06-01T19:14:41.981-07:00
<@msquixotic> i know its late notice on this, but what are the rules of adventuring parties? im thinking of making a small detachment (maybe me, freda, hirelings, and some mercs we pay extra) to go find the war machines
2025-06-01T19:14:49.158-07:00
or at least communicate with the mystery dwarves
2025-06-01T19:15:29.043-07:00
nvm if theyre in the mtns of chaos, that'll take far too long
2025-06-01T20:23:23.354-07:00
Freda is busy, you are commanding, mercs don’t go on adventures as a rule
2025-06-01T20:23:30.451-07:00
However, you can send some hirelings
2025-06-01T20:23:57.187-07:00
And it’ll be a 2d6 roll to see if the operation is successful (with some modifiers)
2025-06-01T20:26:19.559-07:00
<@Nomad Leader> You got orders for your troops? Normally they need to be turned in by 9, I can give you an extension for the first week tho
2025-06-01T20:30:00.096-07:00
<@Win-chester, Wizard> <@Spymaster Cassian> I don’t think either of you have actually turned in orders yet. If you have, just rewrite them in one spot
2025-06-01T20:32:36.115-07:00
<@&1376683054965194792> Orders are due at
2025-06-01T20:49:22.489-07:00
I'll keep Edvaxia and send some hirelings then. My army will do sweeps of the northern plains to make sure there's no more imperial encampments we missed. Last I heard from Dallas, he's taking the Wayfarers, Cavalry, and his troops down to Hogwhale's tower to get Hogwhale to muster his own army as well.
2025-06-01T20:50:27.288-07:00
Good chance I end up sending some calvary into the desert depending on what we run into. If you send messages to me, make sure they know I may be in between hogwhales tower and there
2025-06-01T20:50:37.802-07:00
Ill make sure to communicate <@Spymaster Cassian>
2025-06-01T20:50:41.853-07:00
word
2025-06-01T20:50:57.578-07:00
Sounds good! Can you put together a list of your hirelings?
2025-06-01T20:51:12.156-07:00
You can send Gripe Wolder with them if he's willing
2025-06-01T20:51:12.878-07:00
Remember, you can’t send detachments without a commander
2025-06-01T20:51:15.636-07:00
Aka a human
2025-06-01T20:51:19.137-07:00
I know
2025-06-01T20:51:24.010-07:00
almost started sending the list of characters from the arden vul game lol
2025-06-01T20:51:31.400-07:00
lol I wish
2025-06-01T20:51:41.759-07:00
Actually might be worth sending him to Dolmenwood for more support
2025-06-01T20:52:19.941-07:00
Do what you want with him charles
2025-06-01T20:52:57.065-07:00
yeah thats fine
2025-06-01T20:56:42.052-07:00
i dont have a list of all the hirelings that are alive. lets just send all of them but edvaxia and gripe wolder
2025-06-01T20:57:38.195-07:00
Sounds great!
2025-06-01T20:58:10.347-07:00
gripe wolder will go to dolmenwood to get some support in that case, and ill keep edvaxia with me and train her in the ways of the axe
2025-06-01T21:15:00.127-07:00
AAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHHH
2025-06-01T21:15:07.454-07:00
i thought it was just by midnight, sorry i missed that
2025-06-01T21:15:26.466-07:00
It’s okay!!!
2025-06-01T21:15:27.093-07:00
i can write them up now, if that works?
2025-06-01T21:15:32.881-07:00
Yeah that’s great!
2025-06-01T21:15:39.007-07:00
ok, thanks
2025-06-01T21:15:48.406-07:00
i will get them in by 9 going forward
2025-06-01T21:25:02.100-07:00
orders: 1. attempt to establish diplomatic relations by sending an ambassador with a small security force to make contact with the nothern covenant. they will initially try to talk to them about the chaos storms, while covertly (for now) trying to find out why they are amassing troops by the border. 2. send a small scouting party to try and see the necromancers fort, and what the poachers are doing there, and find out the relationship between them. are they fighting? are the poachers being let in? are they trading supplies? etc. 3. start the worm hunt! 🪱 4. disperse the armies throughout the desert to avoid the chaos storm. those that aren't going hunting will go vaguely in the direction of the necromancers fort and the nc troops on the border. it'll be dispersed and decentralized, with each family kinda doing its own thing, but everyone generally going in those directions, so that it doesn't necessarily look like a big army movement, but the dispersed families could coalesce into a full army. 5. have a scout ask around (and tip generously) to trusted informants in the brothel in the highlands town if there are any rumors or info about what the poachers are up to.
2025-06-01T21:37:49.182-07:00
How many families to you want dedicated to the hunting this week?
2025-06-01T21:45:40.530-07:00
there are 5 families total?
2025-06-01T21:45:47.232-07:00
Yup
2025-06-01T21:46:33.669-07:00
let's have 2 families go worm hunting
2025-06-01T21:47:15.446-07:00
Sounds good!
2025-06-01T21:49:57.726-07:00
also is that a good format for orders, or were you expecting something else?
2025-06-01T21:52:14.079-07:00
This is perfect!
2025-06-01T21:52:30.391-07:00
cool!
2025-06-01T22:44:12.969-07:00
Couple thoughts; 1. Will you write up the contents of what you what your ambassador to say? I’ll treat it as a message, but also with the added pomp of establishing formal relations 5. You could treat this buying a guide for 100 loot and ask 3 questions. You will get honest answers since there are your pals
2025-06-01T23:46:26.648-07:00
Your messenger sent to Win-Chester, from the Northern Covenant, arrives late this evening with a message: "Lord Ardonis, I am relieved to hear of your willingness to accept help. In my humble opinion, it's a travesty that the northern covenant has not reached out to establish a diplomatic relationship with you sooner. Your dealings with my party, and especially your aid to Lady **(Clint's PC's name which escapes me at the moment)** lead me to believe that you are simply a reasonable person, seeking to perfect their craft without interference from the empire. In this, I believe our goals are more ideologically aligned than anybody else who may be involved in this skirmish. If I may be candid, I respect the life you've chosen to lead. I think it's...aspirational? Cool? The way you've decided what you want out of life and built it. Ther Khuldir could learn something from how you operate, and should we be successful in the defense of our homelands, I will push for you to have more influence in Phaedra, if that is something you'd desire. My units and I march south from Ther Khuldir. We plan to pick up many more troops on the way. In time, we will reach you and we may be able to communicate in person. Of course, in war, plans often change. Rest assured, I will communicate these changes should they appear. With respect, Win-Chester."
2025-06-01T23:52:26.996-07:00
News arrives from Thassini. The following message was sent to town leadership: "To the town authorities of Thessina: By the order of our beneficent Emperor Eusebius IV, the region known as "Phaedra" has been granted re-admittance as an Imperial Subject in full standing. To celebrate this occasion, a small detachment of Imperial soldiers will be arriving in your city after a long march. See to it that they are given supplies for the continuing tour, and provide one out of every ten able bodied citizens to start the Phaedran Legion that will form the backbone of Imperial protection for the land going forward. Indicate compliance with this lawful order via the raising of white flags over all guard towers approaching and within the city. Failure to meet these requirements will result in summary decimation of the local population. Leontius Oäldoriaus, Commander of the Frontier Legions"
2025-06-02T00:24:02.819-07:00
📜 To the esteemed Win-Chester and the Northern Covenant, My friends! They say flattery only works on fools—and yet, fool I am. I nearly wept into my wine (a rather unfortunate dessert rosé I keep around for moments like this). Your words warmed my heart and stirred the ashes in my veins—*excitement*, I think it’s called. Let us say, then, that I am very pleased that our stars are aligning—burning bright and perilous over Phaedra. Now, I have a proposition. You remember my allies, the triplets? *Charming creatures*, if you don't speak to them. They've been terribly mopey of late. They detest singing—an ongoing point of contention in my keep, as you might imagine—and they've refused to partake in our most recent tasting: a bottle of Minotaurine absinthe procured by one of my more romantically inclined scouts. It was dreadful. Naturally, we passed it around with grand ceremony. But the triplets declined. *Declined!* They never skip the camaraderie of a terrible drink. In short, they are bored. And you, as fate would have it, are marching nearby—just over the mountains. A convenient coincidence, wouldn’t you say? Perhaps they might join your procession and render aid. They are most useful *after* the fighting, being necromancers of—shall we say—*moderate potency*. The arrangement is simple: you kill the churchlings, they raise the dead, and they hand you the reins so you might kill more churchlings *with* the previous churchlings. Efficiency! Recycling! Theological irony! And, if it eases anyone’s concerns: I have made them *promise* not to eat your soldiers. (Though they may ask strange questions. Humor them. They detest demurity.) I look forward to your arrival with great anticipation. Phaedra quivers with potential. *In mirth and deathless regard,* ***Ardonis*, Bone Lord of the Shifting Keep**
2025-06-02T00:30:27.805-07:00
You travel to the witches huts above Ther Khuldir and join them in a ritual. You collapse at the end. This morning, you remember a vision: Sand. Mountains. An eagle entering a door, going *down*, deep below the earth, moving in random directions but making its way, eventually, east. You remember a visceral emotion too. Disdain, someone entering your domain without permission. You are too exhausted to do anything except for sending messages. You and your sisters and aunts are unable to do anything else for the rest of the week as you recover.
2025-06-02T00:34:28.581-07:00
P.S. Oh yes, have them run behind enemy lines and disrupt supply wagons. It's their favorite! Well, it's the favorite of two of them...
2025-06-02T00:34:55.622-07:00
Note: this is a real offer for the covenant to command them temporarily, but the triplets have no intention of fighting to the death, and will run if shit goes bad -- and this is no secret.
2025-06-02T01:34:46.548-07:00
Hilarious
2025-06-02T01:36:14.994-07:00
Who sent the message? How does town leadership feel?
2025-06-02T01:41:42.272-07:00
I’ll give my current thoughts as well - we should raise the white flags as they say. We’ll welcome them with supplies and a legion - not really though - we’ll mention a feast and supplies, but never give it to them. We’ll present a legion of a hundred men, but it’ll just be some mercenaries. Once they’re in the town proper, we’ll detain the imperials sent, and take them to Ther Kuldir where we’ll properly torture and then kill them
2025-06-02T01:41:47.057-07:00
That’s the plan at least
2025-06-02T01:42:26.080-07:00
If they resist, I can just ring of telekinesis disarm and lift them in the air or some stupid shit
2025-06-02T01:43:30.475-07:00
We’ll also take note of the direction they enter the city from - horseback or on foot. If on horseback, we should send scouts to follow the trail back to see where they came from
2025-06-02T10:37:00.533-07:00
Clearly from an imperial messenger, but you don't have time to ask anymore questions before your army heads out in the morning. Anything else will need to be figured out via message.
2025-06-02T10:38:10.184-07:00
Freda is secreted away by her witch-sisters in the middle of the night, and Cassian and Winchester head out with their armies in the morning. (This chat is closed until someone comes back to Ther Khuldir).
2025-06-02T10:54:28.878-07:00
Aegisthes, Antigone, Ingish, and Gleanings-of-Lost-Days head out to the haunted dwarven fort in the Mountains of Chaos
2025-06-02T10:55:09.685-07:00
Gripe takes a sorry horse and makes his way back to Dolmenwood, for help. He'll stop by his former leige, Baron Ramius in Pan's Forest first.
2025-06-02T11:03:01.724-07:00
<@Spymaster Cassian> Your new home, while your army is on the road
2025-06-02T11:07:24.090-07:00
Your army heads out in the morning, sending your calvary and wayfarers to Win-Chester's army marching towards the Plains of Sorrow. Your army will be moving slowly to detect anything hidden.
2025-06-02T11:08:27.959-07:00
Your first officer also transfered a large amount of supplies over to Win-Chester, as you no longer have the wagons to hold them. Your wagons stay behind as you plan to venture off-road.
2025-06-02T11:11:09.988-07:00
<@Spymaster Cassian> Does your sweep include the farm land or just the wild region south of your lands?
2025-06-02T11:11:43.956-07:00
Your new home while you are on the road <@Win-chester, Wizard>
2025-06-02T11:13:05.018-07:00
Your army heads out in the morning, after the the mercenary calvary and wayfairers join you. The first officer from Cassian's army also transferred over a large amount of supplies as they can no longer carry them. The offical plan is to travel to Thassini and travel downriver to Hogwhale's Tower, as no road can take you and you have many wagons with you.
2025-06-02T11:13:09.602-07:00
oh okay word
2025-06-02T11:13:32.029-07:00
Including the farm land then
2025-06-02T11:16:41.531-07:00
Also gonna put some notes for the future in here so i don't lose track of them - we'll keep the imperial detachment coming in alive as PoWs, and send a single soldier back to the Imperials with a message - we'll trade the PoWs for a meeting with Leontius. he is free to bring an armed small detachment with him. we'll make a note about how if they aren't willing to value the lives of their infantrymen, then a peaceful subjugation of a land of self-valuing commoners will never happen.
2025-06-02T11:16:57.182-07:00
i'll forward those plans to Covenant leadership. obviously just kind of spitballing, anything can happen
2025-06-02T11:16:57.797-07:00
blah blah blah
2025-06-02T11:17:04.060-07:00
so true
2025-06-02T11:18:01.175-07:00
<@Curate Freda>
2025-06-02T11:44:47.936-07:00
Here is your channel for Seregra's armies updates <@Seregra the Cantorshade>
2025-06-02T11:45:10.668-07:00
(most people are having their home channels locked while they are away, you get to keep yours since you are playing Ardonis too)
2025-06-02T11:46:25.203-07:00
One thing I missed, you can't seperate units from detachments. Even the skeletons in your undead army are trained together and require to be kept together.
2025-06-02T11:48:27.714-07:00
Your army sets off that morning, Poachers at a slight distance from the rest of your troops.
2025-06-02T11:52:25.184-07:00
<@Nomad Leader> Your home for your nomads on the move.
2025-06-02T11:54:42.710-07:00
THE WORM HUNT: WEEK 1 The two families struggle this week, not used to their numbers being so low (rolled a 2 and a 3). It's just enough this week (2 families bring total up to 7), given the poachers aren't active right now. You will receive your 25k supplies at the end of the week.
2025-06-02T11:58:07.710-07:00
As your nomads move out in a scattered formation, your scouts rush back and tell you they see the poachers moving along an army of skeletons, heading northeast towards your last Cold Season town.
2025-06-02T11:59:20.404-07:00
Your scouts report that many nomad families are moving in various directions in the desert.
2025-06-02T12:01:22.946-07:00
The goblin sappers, who have been hanging around gambling with your soldiers, are now paid and ready to guide your troops into the underdark.
2025-06-02T12:06:31.487-07:00
The combined command structure for your two armies, on the move. Each of you have your own personal channels as well.
2025-06-02T12:06:41.197-07:00
<@Bishop Martina Attaliate> <@Leontius Oäldoriaus "The Gilded Tongue">
2025-06-02T12:07:09.870-07:00
Your base of command of your marching army. <@Leontius Oäldoriaus "The Gilded Tongue">
2025-06-02T12:07:31.168-07:00
The command structure for you and your faithful as you march <@Bishop Martina Attaliate>
2025-06-02T12:08:11.872-07:00
You get ready to leave camp, picking up what you can (this channel is now closed, until either of you come back).
2025-06-02T12:09:13.657-07:00
Your combined armies march on into the dark. No one is happy about this. MORALE CHECKS
2025-06-02T12:10:11.472-07:00
The imperial army, although somewhat dispirited already, grit their teeth and march down into the dark.
2025-06-02T12:20:10.195-07:00
The Temple Soldiers publicly balk at their orders, and refuse to enter the tunnels. They join the garrison at the base instead.
2025-06-02T12:21:50.259-07:00
Your army failed their morale check for entering the underdark. Instead of joining another commander (they rolled a 6), they will stay with the garrison instead. They expect to be excommunicated over their betrayal, but nothing will sway them.
2025-06-02T12:26:04.268-07:00
The imperial army and the church clerics enter the tunnel. They walk down, and down, and down.
2025-06-02T12:28:48.420-07:00
The goblin sappers report that it takes about a day to get through their blasted tunnel, and then around 3 days to make it through the twisted tunnels underground, then another day to ascend to the surface (5 days total). If everything goes right (and it absolutely will, they promise), your armies should make it to the otherside before they need their weekly rest.
2025-06-02T12:32:32.686-07:00
You begin raising your army. Your new army will be raised on July 1st.
2025-06-02T12:33:12.128-07:00
Oh! Does the castle have its own defending force separate from Seregra's detachment? E.g., enough to handle a siege defense until the primary force can return. As long as it's defended I'm good bringing the whole infantry company
2025-06-02T12:33:52.516-07:00
2025-06-02T12:34:00.764-07:00
Yes, it has this garrison by default
2025-06-02T12:34:44.999-07:00
OH I thought that was everything. She has separate troops?
2025-06-02T12:35:01.412-07:00
Yeah, check your army sheet
2025-06-02T12:35:19.998-07:00
(link removed)
2025-06-02T12:35:43.275-07:00
oh heh that's the first I've seen that 😄
2025-06-02T12:35:50.020-07:00
Hilarious
2025-06-02T12:36:19.178-07:00
Ardonis thinks it will take him 1 month to research and raise his first Bone Worm, assuming everything goes well.
2025-06-02T12:37:08.981-07:00
Your oracles will need a week to prepare, but will reveal the location of a hidden army then.
2025-06-02T12:38:15.076-07:00
The Spears of Apollo set off to Murder Island to scout
2025-06-02T12:39:11.712-07:00
Your horde gathers and begins their unholy march (this channel is closed until you return to the keep)
2025-06-02T12:39:52.476-07:00
Your new home, while your horde is on the move <@Skynax the Insatiable>
2025-06-02T12:42:29.282-07:00
<@&1376683054965194792> Armies have offcially begun to move! Everyone should now have a private channel (either their home base or a channel for their marching army), please use that to talk to me about the game from now on. Good luck!
2025-06-02T12:43:31.798-07:00
Uh oh
2025-06-02T12:44:16.203-07:00
Does anything come to mind as to why they’d want to go to our old town? Like did we leave something important or valuable there, or is there important information or evidence there?
2025-06-02T12:51:24.214-07:00
Cool, noting we're on the same page: Seregra's company is currently ~500 skeletal infantry and 125 skeletal cavalry. The saints are being carried manually by infantry or skeletal beast rather than riding in their honored wagons. (The cannibals are at the keep, preparing to depart.)
2025-06-02T13:05:26.939-07:00
And the poachers are with seregra, right?
2025-06-02T13:07:13.703-07:00
2025-06-02T13:09:38.312-07:00
You are not positive. You take anything important with you. Remaining in the area would be some basic supplies you couldn’t take with you and the empty grand tents that you built last year.
2025-06-02T13:16:23.659-07:00
The tents or location wouldn’t provide much fortification? And each cold season we build a new town and new grand tents?
2025-06-02T13:17:00.554-07:00
This game is already so great, i find myself daydreaming about it and thinking about my moves and stuff 💜
2025-06-02T13:20:38.698-07:00
Yup and yup, you use the bones and skin of the worms to make a new tent city every year
2025-06-02T13:22:31.012-07:00
Correct, thanks!
2025-06-02T13:24:34.755-07:00
I hear you; I'm really enjoying this. I'm looking forward to sharing character theme songs and such post hoc. 🎶
2025-06-02T13:35:22.102-07:00
Hmm this is so mysterious 😄
2025-06-02T13:47:04.671-07:00
Your scouts report another strange sight. The chaos storm slowly makes it way towards the worm fields. From underneath of it, a strange army of scar-covered men and women (plus some horrifying giant beasts) is seen descending into the badlands south of the Mountains of Chaos. They do not seem to be heading your direction, but you have no idea who they are or what they want.
2025-06-02T13:49:55.103-07:00
Your army arrives at the giant Horseshoe. Your troops shed blood at the site, feeling themselves filled with bloodlust. You feel Khorne watching you, and readying his blades for the battle to come (you receive a luck bonus during your next battle). ~~Your army begins descending the mountains towards to badlands to the south~~. You can see a fort to the south-west. Your plan takes you a different route, but you could change plans and attack it instead.
2025-06-02T13:50:50.689-07:00
You also send a group of priests to the Barbarian Fort
2025-06-02T14:54:03.299-07:00
I forgot you wanted to scout first. Here's what you see around you, when you are at the horse shoe:
2025-06-02T14:57:47.867-07:00
These are the major landmarks around you: SW: Keep in the Badlands far to the N: A sandstone keep in the desert, guarded by skeletons far to the W: A group of hunters on camelback, hunting giant worms in the desert NE: The chaos warrior lairs E: Your Chaos Keep SE: Badlands
2025-06-02T14:58:24.058-07:00
Your army settles in the mountains to forage over the next day
2025-06-02T16:00:08.241-07:00
*Complications on the Road* After traveling alongside Cassian's army for a few miles, you make west towards Thassini. You are a few miles away from resting for the night the road begins crumbing around you. You look around and many wagons have sunk several feet into the road. You aren't sure what happened, but it seems like there were tunnels under the road that couldn't take the weight of your army. No one was hurt, but this road is unusable for the time being, and getting your train moving again will take a day. You could make your army work all night and get moving in the morning instead, but they will be unhappy.
2025-06-02T16:27:25.597-07:00
One of your scouts reports that the roads southwest of Phaedra (where Win-Chester was headed) has crumbled and Win-Chester's army is stuck in the ground
2025-06-02T17:00:13.523-07:00
*Travel Update* You thoroughly search the farms and villages near Antinous Hippotas's Estate. His estate is quiet. Nearby is the haunted estate Hainsley Hall, plus there's a hive of strange glow-in-the-dark Giant Bees in the area. You stumble upon the spy base that you looted, several months ago. It seems as if it hasn't been touched since then. You note it's location for future use. Your army settles down for the night.
2025-06-02T18:00:15.680-07:00
*A Messenger is Brought To Your Tent* 📜 To the esteemed Win-Chester and the Northern Covenant, My friends! They say flattery only works on fools—and yet, fool I am. I nearly wept into my wine (a rather unfortunate dessert rosé I keep around for moments like this). Your words warmed my heart and stirred the ashes in my veins—*excitement*, I think it’s called. Let us say, then, that I am very pleased that our stars are aligning—burning bright and perilous over Phaedra. Now, I have a proposition. You remember my allies, the triplets? *Charming creatures*, if you don't speak to them. They've been terribly mopey of late. They detest singing—an ongoing point of contention in my keep, as you might imagine—and they've refused to partake in our most recent tasting: a bottle of Minotaurine absinthe procured by one of my more romantically inclined scouts. It was dreadful. Naturally, we passed it around with grand ceremony. But the triplets declined. *Declined!* They never skip the camaraderie of a terrible drink. In short, they are bored. And you, as fate would have it, are marching nearby—just over the mountains. A convenient coincidence, wouldn’t you say? Perhaps they might join your procession and render aid. They are most useful *after* the fighting, being necromancers of—shall we say—*moderate potency*. The arrangement is simple: you kill the churchlings, they raise the dead, and they hand you the reins so you might kill more churchlings *with* the previous churchlings. Efficiency! Recycling! Theological irony! And, if it eases anyone’s concerns: I have made them *promise* not to eat your soldiers. (Though they may ask strange questions. Humor them. They detest demurity.) I look forward to your arrival with great anticipation. Phaedra quivers with potential. *In mirth and deathless regard,* ***Ardonis*, Bone Lord of the Shifting Keep** P.S. Oh yes, have them run behind enemy lines and disrupt supply
2025-06-02T20:44:06.143-07:00
Your combined armies march through the tunnel down, down, down. Outside of your torches, it is pitch black and silent. You make it to the bottom, entering a series of twisted tunnels that seem to go on forever. It is here you make camp. Your people take their places wherever they can in the tunnels. You are out of formation, if something were to happen, but the goblins promise nothing dangerous lives in these tunnels.
2025-06-02T20:45:04.784-07:00
2025-06-02T20:50:04.852-07:00
The 3 traveling families make their way north and make camp, away from each other. To the east is your former town, where the skeleton army entered and began resting inside of.
2025-06-02T20:50:36.332-07:00
You arrive at the abandoned camp. You find a number of huge tents, make out of white leather and huge vertebrae. A fence made from vertebrae circles the whole area. Your army is ready to rest for the day, your search of the camp's contents will have to wait for tomorrow. Your skeletons bury themselves as per you plan.
2025-06-02T20:51:17.172-07:00
You note throughout the day that nomads continue scattering throughout the desert. Some seem to be making camp to your west.
2025-06-02T21:24:38.999-07:00
(that last letter got cut off, one sec)
2025-06-02T21:25:51.956-07:00
P.S. Oh yes, have them run behind enemy lines and disrupt supply wagons. It's their favorite! Well, it's the favorite of two of them...
2025-06-02T22:09:08.221-07:00
Seregra will send a living scout to approach the camp, and two other scouts to families in the opposite direction. They have instructions to let them know they're in no danger, and that we have no wish for thievery if they plan to return to this camp, and to ask them what they're doing spreading out in the desert. The scouts will bring water as a gift for folks who help.
2025-06-02T22:33:22.085-07:00
Can you form that as a message?
2025-06-03T00:19:55.739-07:00
📜 **To those we’ve seen moving through the desert,** We mean you no harm, and you are in no danger from us. We are not here to rob you, nor to interfere with your return to this camp—if that is your intention. However, we have noticed your movements spreading outward. We would appreciate understanding your purpose, if you’re willing to share it. The desert is harsh, and secrets die in it faster than men do. Our scouts bring water as a gesture of goodwill. Should you wish to speak or coordinate further, we’ll listen. —**Seregra**, Cantorshade of the Hollow Marsh
2025-06-03T11:58:11.299-07:00
A (human) messenger arrives from the skeleton forces occupying your former town, with some water (10 supplies): 📜 **To those we’ve seen moving through the desert,** We mean you no harm, and you are in no danger from us. We are not here to rob you, nor to interfere with your return to this camp—if that is your intention. However, we have noticed your movements spreading outward. We would appreciate understanding your purpose, if you’re willing to share it. The desert is harsh, and secrets die in it faster than men do. Our scouts bring water as a gesture of goodwill. Should you wish to speak or coordinate further, we’ll listen. —**Seregra**, Cantorshade of the Hollow Marsh
2025-06-03T11:58:28.996-07:00
We'll say your messenger took 10 supplies worth of water over to the nomads
2025-06-03T11:59:04.265-07:00
Specifically, the messenger arrives at one of the 3 families, the others are still scattered in various directions
2025-06-03T12:03:10.418-07:00
Your army spends the day fixing wagons and getting everyone prepared to march tomorrow.
2025-06-03T12:04:31.889-07:00
The combined armies begin marching through the twisting tunnels. It is impossible to know if you are going the correct direction.
2025-06-03T12:13:36.520-07:00
Your army forages around the horse shoe, filling up their stores. Your mountains are still ripe with supplies should you need more.
2025-06-03T12:13:55.443-07:00
(I took care of subtracting your supplies for the last two days as well)
2025-06-03T12:26:30.007-07:00
A ranger from the mountains arrives and answers your questions: 1. There isn't one, moving through these mountains in slow and dangerous, I do not recommend it for anyone 2. If I were forced? I'd scale the range right north of our base, in the southern tip. Most of the danger is in the center. Really, if I have to cross, I'd go north and take the river, that's the most efficient route through. 3. Yes, there's a village of cyclops (they are alright folk, they just want to be left alone). There's usually some chaos warbands who raid folk. There's giants, and giant rocs, and other terrifying beasts.
2025-06-03T17:00:23.994-07:00
*Camping at the Highlands Town* The three families arrive, still moving on their own, but in the same direction, towards the border. You are now north of your former camp, near the Highlands Town, your allies. The three families camp for the night.
2025-06-03T17:00:24.007-07:00
*Your day's investigation* You search the farmlands east, near Brandonsford. You find a harpy nest you didn't know about, plus you see the new Northern Covenant watch-post that has been constructed since you've been here last. No empire bases yet.
2025-06-03T17:00:24.007-07:00
*Problems* When you finish marching for the evening, you arrive at the edge of an underground swamp. Your guides tell you that the tunnels must have changed, because they swore this was the right direction, but you've gone the wrong way. They say they can take a short-cut through the swamps to save some time, but your soldiers do not look pleased.
2025-06-03T19:31:28.537-07:00
Hey so what do you plan to do with your errant troops when we return?
2025-06-03T19:35:06.506-07:00
Might I recommend Forced Decimation?
2025-06-03T19:35:24.184-07:00
Does wonders for insubordination.
2025-06-03T21:11:43.093-07:00
Did you see this btw? Doing these two things isn't urgent, but I am waiting on processing them until after
2025-06-03T21:11:46.843-07:00
https://discord.com/channels/984910993735942205/1377406618140016660/1378972453438754836
2025-06-03T21:13:01.451-07:00
Your scouts report that the nomads (about 60 or so) went to the north, to the town in the nearby Highlands, at the edge of the desert.
2025-06-03T21:25:01.796-07:00
I propose that we care less about a shortcut than the morale of our troops.
2025-06-03T21:25:50.925-07:00
And for the troops, I lean towards a sort of death or glory approach. Go win me a heroic victory or burn at the stake.
2025-06-03T21:30:04.861-07:00
Your troops spent the day foraging the current hex, collecting 500 supplies worth of resources from the town, the remains of when the nomads picked up and left. (You'll need to record the supplies) You find no traditional valuables, but you start to get a guess in the organization of the town, with the center great tent being a huge temple of some sort. The entire town is built out of white leather and bones (there are *a lot* of giant vertebrae), plus other goods and tools probably traded for. There are quite a few of them. You could probably learn more if you spent time studying it. The Poachers are in place for hunting for the next morning. They tell you the best picking are all concentrated on one spot (where the bulk of the nomads spend their time) but some stray ones make their way through the desert.
2025-06-03T21:30:46.033-07:00
As thou wilt.
2025-06-03T21:31:53.264-07:00
(Let me know in certain terms if you are changing your plans btw, you are allowed to change your orders when stuff happens)
2025-06-04T01:34:51.179-07:00
Good. Sorry I missed this, but that's what I would have preferred
2025-06-04T10:26:28.205-07:00
Would you prefer to get pinged btw?
2025-06-04T11:35:23.782-07:00
Your army heads to Thassini and takes river boats down to Hogwhale's tower. They will disembark near the tower at nightfall. It takes 24 ships (so 2400 loot) to carry your army and ships.
2025-06-04T11:47:01.323-07:00
The chaos storm reaches the Worm Fields and your people scatter, as per your orders
2025-06-04T11:47:55.302-07:00
The 3 traveling familes hunker down around the Highlands Town, they are about as far to Northern Covenant's borders as they can without getting a ship to take them south, out of the highlands.
2025-06-04T11:53:38.414-07:00
The poachers spend the day hunting for a worm.
2025-06-04T11:56:08.155-07:00
Instead of a worm, they encounter a group of strange beasts: Silent mindless mutant hounds, the size of horses, eating the remains of nest of giant snakes. When they spy the poachers, they howl and bray and charge them down.
2025-06-04T11:56:20.228-07:00
(WIll be treating this as a battle, using your stated tactics)
2025-06-04T12:01:55.775-07:00
Your modifiers: +3 (1 for 100% more troops, 1 for your chosen battlefield, 1 for your tactics). The hounds get +0
2025-06-04T12:02:04.921-07:00
Your roll: 13
2025-06-04T12:03:13.713-07:00
Their roll: 10
2025-06-04T12:03:53.363-07:00
Victor suffers 5% casualties, loser suffers 10% casualties. Loser loses 2 morale, victor gains 1.
2025-06-04T12:05:06.301-07:00
<@Seregra the Cantorshade> I took care of your supplies since your troop amounts are about to change
2025-06-04T12:06:29.574-07:00
One hound is killed and the rest are driven off.
2025-06-04T12:07:26.838-07:00
Your scouts report that the skeleton army is out seeking trouble in the desert. They were attacked by strange mutant hounds (likely from the Mountains) and took some minor loses, but drove the hounds off.
2025-06-04T12:08:18.882-07:00
Your commander detects battle to the north.
2025-06-04T12:29:15.586-07:00
The march will continue. If my troops have morale problems, I'll let them take those problems out on Thessini.
2025-06-04T12:54:23.059-07:00
Yeah that would be helpful
2025-06-04T12:55:06.421-07:00
K I’ll start doing that
2025-06-04T14:37:22.867-07:00
Question -- An army of 675 counter-ambushes a group of 10 giant mutant dogs. The army wins the fight, inflicting 1 casualty, and taking 30 casualties. Their morale *increases* due to this result. I'm left to conclude: the mutants were *very scary* and the army is proud to have taken down a single one. Does that track w/ the fiction? If so, Seregra proudly raises the one mutant they defeated with full ceremony for those who fell taking it down, while calling up the rest of the town's graves.
2025-06-04T17:00:06.758-07:00
*Travel Update* Your army searches the fields and villages to the south. You find a Lichen-adorned altar. It is unclear what god it is for, but it might be useful. No imperial spy bases found today.
2025-06-04T17:00:06.917-07:00
*Travel Update* Your soldiers trudge through the muck. They are cold and wet and unhappy (-1 morale for the imperials). Your guides lead you through the swamp and back into the tunnels. They are pretty sure you are where you were supposed to be yesterday, finally.
2025-06-04T17:14:56.900-07:00
Yeah these things were very scary
2025-06-04T18:21:51.621-07:00
<@Win-chester, Wizard> Your army arrives at the docks near Hogwhale's tower. Hogwhale heads inside to start getting his belongings together, and invites you in to spend a night in a bed. (I'll get the details of who you pick up figured out tomorrow)
2025-06-04T18:23:19.334-07:00
<@Stratigos Aratus Phebes "The Soft-Spoken General"> A breathless acolyte arrives and delivers you a message. An army has disembarked near Hogwhale's tower, and seem to be spending the night there. The army wears Northern Covenant colors.
2025-06-04T18:25:16.866-07:00
Your horde leaves the mountains from the southeast, skirting around the keep.
2025-06-04T18:25:58.036-07:00
Did Hogwhole ever reply to my letter?
2025-06-04T18:26:28.877-07:00
No
2025-06-04T18:33:19.460-07:00
Send a small delegation to the camp under the Cult's Banner to Hogwhole's Tower in order to discuss the purpose of the presence of the Northern Covenant in the area. Inform them that the Cult was notified of their potential operations in the area, and had a direct message with a Win-chester informing of the cults displeasure with the militaristic movements so close to our border, and that an explanation is required. We also implore the soldiers that are currently residing in the area to make no additional moves, until the Cult has had further communications with Win-chester.
2025-06-04T18:53:21.282-07:00
I'll sleep with my men in camp
2025-06-04T19:38:50.695-07:00
Will you phrase this as a message? Also is the delegation heading out tonight or the morning?
2025-06-04T19:39:00.019-07:00
It’s close enough they could get there by tonight
2025-06-04T19:39:34.582-07:00
Immediately. Give me a bit. Sorry. I'm working off like two hours of sleep
2025-06-04T19:39:45.090-07:00
Would you mind if I sent stuff in the morning?
2025-06-04T19:40:44.201-07:00
You are totally good! Yeah I’ll just make the delegation arrive as soon as you message me tomorrow
2025-06-04T19:44:46.618-07:00
<@&1376683054965194792> Couple things: **Pings**: I have had several players ask that I ping them when I have an update, I will just start doing that and let me know you want me to not do that for you **Changing orders**: You can change your orders according to circumstances that come up during the week. If you don’t tell me anything different, your first officers and I will just continue with the original orders, as best we understand them
2025-06-04T19:49:34.954-07:00
Knowing that I can change orders, I’m gonna change mine. I’ll direct the Covenants attention to the spy base (with the intent to get some field ops running out of there when the war is over) and tell them to start getting it built up. I’ll then head to Thassini, and inform the locals on the plan - we’ll put flags up in the town and the surrounding guard posts, and present a “legion” as requested. The legion will just be mercenaries, and we’ll take them out of town a good distance, where we’ll torture them for information.
2025-06-04T19:50:38.541-07:00
Otherwise we’ll have the army posted just east of Thassini, and the small detachment will spend the couple days chilling and going over plans. When we kick off, we’ll follow the trail the soldiers came from as much as we can. We’ll get to that though
2025-06-04T19:54:25.643-07:00
How close will the rest of army be? This might be a two commander plan
2025-06-04T19:56:31.934-07:00
I’ll be treating the communications with the Northern Covenant as a message
2025-06-04T20:09:47.257-07:00
As close as possible without being visible to the kidnapped - I’m thinking about letting one go, so I don’t want them to see the army
2025-06-04T20:11:48.379-07:00
I’ll accept the plan if you write up a message that the mercenaries will give Imperial delegation on Thassini’s behalf, then the mercs are out of your control, since you need to stay with your army
2025-06-04T23:41:56.046-07:00
Hm, if we kept them in the same hex would they still be visible to the people of Thassini? I'd rather they be visible and Cassian in control of the situation then not, but if theres no way for that to happen then its fine
2025-06-05T09:08:50.619-07:00
I think I am okay with that actually, just knowing you might get into a weird situation if anything unexpected were to happen
2025-06-05T10:18:10.732-07:00
<@Win-chester, Wizard> Master Hogwhale requests the day to get his things together. He invites you into the tower to peruse his spellbooks and see if there's anything you want to copy down for yourself (take a look at the magic-user's spell list, he'll have practically all level 1 and level 2 spells, plus a chance for higher level ones. Just let me know a few that you want and we'll probably make it happen)
2025-06-05T10:18:34.484-07:00
Your scouts note that Hogwhale sent a messenger south towards Argope this morning
2025-06-05T10:23:35.406-07:00
On the top of Hogwhale's tower are 7 gargoyles, shaped like beasts with horns, talons, and bat-like wings, perching. You had never seen them move during your time here, but you and you army watch as they wake up, shake themselves off, and fly down to the ground and stand near your army, ready to march with you
2025-06-05T10:24:39.458-07:00
The sight is unnerving for the mercenaries and goblins (-1 morale)
2025-06-05T10:36:40.716-07:00
<@Spymaster Cassian> I forgot that you should have received this message yesterday: "My lieges, I called upon my former lord Baron Ramius and he was displeased by my presence. I was not convining enough for him. I make my way to Dolmenwood now. I feel I may have better luck there, but it will be some time before you hear from me again. I take pleasure in knowing I will see your faces again. -Gripe Wolder"
2025-06-05T10:42:56.428-07:00
<@Stratigos Aratus Phebes "The Soft-Spoken General"> You receive a message this morning, sealed with wax with Hogwhale's insignia: "I am honored by your message, and take heart that in knowing that your words have reached wise ears. I would be greatly interested in examining your artifacts. That we have taken this long to come to this agreement is something I am deeply shamed of. I am, unforuntely, bound with business with the Northern Covenant at the moment. I have sworn I will help defend Phaedra, and thus we are preparing to go into battle with the Empire, as folly that may be. If you believe it is in the greater interest of Phaedra for me to stay here, please send a missive to one Lord Win-Chester, Conjurer with your honest plea. Warmest Regards, Master Hogwhale, Wizard of Phaedra"
2025-06-05T10:43:39.876-07:00
The Spears of Apollo arrive with a detailed report of Murder Island (we'll get into details when you need it, I don't have time to write it up this morning. They have extensive notes on everything you asked for, though)
2025-06-05T10:47:52.250-07:00
<@Stratigos Aratus Phebes "The Soft-Spoken General"> An urgent message comes for you, written by one of your priests, borne by a man with a goat-skull helmet: "General! Urgent news from the front! The barbarians welcomed us with open arms and we have opened a dialogue with them (the gentle soul bearing this message is one of their own). However, we have detected something far more urgent: An army has come down from the mountains. They are strange men and women, covered in horrible scars, with huge, terrible feathered beasts besides them. They seem to be marching towards Nyophani. May Apollo guide us in these troubled times and may this message be borne to you quickly."
2025-06-05T10:49:13.377-07:00
Your scouts report an army is garrisoned in the Cult of Apollo's headquarters to your south.
2025-06-05T10:49:59.497-07:00
<@Seregra the Cantorshade> Despite the Poacher's best efforts, you do not attract any trouble today.
2025-06-05T13:00:12.685-07:00
**Travel Update** <@Spymaster Cassian> Your army marches back to the road and straight to Thassini. You won't make it today, but you will be there by midday tomorrow, giving you some time to prepare before your soldiers need to rest for a few days.
2025-06-05T17:00:19.277-07:00
**Your Horde's Progress** <@Skynax the Insatiable> Your horde continues their march towards their target. You don't think you will make it before your blood-thirsty army needs to rest. You could force them to move faster, if you wish.
2025-06-05T17:00:19.333-07:00
**Another Day in the Tunnels** <@Leontius Oäldoriaus "The Gilded Tongue"> <@Bishop Martina Attaliate> Your goblin guides look a little nervous today as they lead you through a few narrowing tunnels, barely large enough to squeeze a horse through. By the time you are finished marching for the day, you enter a huge cave with bioluminescent mushroom, and they seem relieved. They inform you that you are still on track. One nervously remind you that, since you lost two days of travel, you won't make it back out of the underdark before your troops need to rest for the week.
2025-06-05T17:21:15.497-07:00
I want to send an envoy to the army marching on Nyophani. To whom marches towards us, It appears that my list of chores grows each day. I must demand that you stop your advance and would like to know of the group that is so fearless as to march upon the Cult of Apollo. In the spirit of mercy, I would like to request a parlance with the one who speaks for your army to better understand your purposes. While I am not enthused by the military actions you are enacting currently, I also know that there must be an underlying reason. I find myself with too many enemies as of late, and would strongly desire not to add to that list. It is not that I am not capable of dealing with more, I just find myself lacking time with my family. As I am sure you can relate. So if you would do me a favor and at least attempt a dialogue with the Cult of Apollo, you would have my personal gratitude even if in the end we must come to conflict. From, Stratigos Aratus Phebes Though we meet with uncertain intentions, let us at least attempt grace.
2025-06-05T17:27:01.068-07:00
<@Stratigos Aratus Phebes "The Soft-Spoken General"> You have more coming for the message?
2025-06-05T17:27:16.241-07:00
yeah
2025-06-05T17:27:22.419-07:00
Sorry, I moved it to notepad
2025-06-05T17:32:11.765-07:00
Updated.
2025-06-05T17:45:35.673-07:00
Master Hogwhole, It is understandable that a force such as yourself has obligations to entire nations, and that there is a precedence that must be followed in such agreements. I also understand the threat that the Empire poses and it is my desire to also drive them from our land. It is unfortunate that there is news on my desk that requires me to divert my own attention though. I have had discussions with Lord Win-Chester, and intend to provide intelligence that would be a possible boon to your own endeavors against the Empire. Sadly it is also my desire to inform you, that while the Cult is friendly with Ther Khuldir we must stay vigilante in the defense of our Cult. As such we are not true allies. There is work being made on this front, however we are still walking that path slowly. With this in mind and in the spirit of our potential, future collaboration. I humbly ask, that you do not allow ingress from any force that would intend harm to the Cult across your land. This would include the Northern Covenant that you are currently aligned with. If you were to be one of the defenders for our Cult, should any danger come about, you would have the full duty of the Cult available at your disposal. This would naturally include the opportunities that occur as a result of such an arrangement. With deep relief, Stratigos Aratus Phebes Mages do not fear men, for they are just potential piles of ash.
2025-06-05T17:51:01.379-07:00
No need to rush, Khorne will wait. If we're not going to make it, I'd even stop the march a day early and spend the last day foraging.
2025-06-05T17:52:13.860-07:00
To Lord Win-Chester, I write to you confused. I hope it is just a mistake as result of the delay in communications between our nations. Please inform us as to your intent, while we were notified of potential military actions in the area from Ther Khuldir the Cult strongly advised that such actions be made further from our borders. I hope that the current actions were not made with direct knowledge of our current communications. As this would be a sour note to start a potential alliance between us. I ask for a hasty reply, otherwise this tenuous relationship we have embarked on together may end before it has started. From, Stratigos Aratus Phebes Do not mistake kindness for weakness, or a smile where there are fangs
2025-06-05T17:53:05.559-07:00
Sounds good! They will forage tomorrow then
2025-06-05T17:55:13.351-07:00
All sent!
2025-06-05T18:17:13.599-07:00
Sleep and dispel magic would be cool
2025-06-05T18:18:45.351-07:00
I'd like to ask Hogwhale what he thinks is happening with the cult of Apollo in Argope too. I sent a message to them awhile ago and received no response.
2025-06-05T18:36:07.884-07:00
He tells you it’s likely we’ll hear back from the soon, they also sent him a polite letter and he sent one in return
2025-06-05T18:36:46.283-07:00
Done, you ask for one higher level spell as well
2025-06-05T18:40:59.182-07:00
Appreciate you!
2025-06-05T19:01:34.415-07:00
I can ask or I did ask?
2025-06-05T19:27:22.740-07:00
You can ask*
2025-06-05T19:31:55.017-07:00
<@Stratigos Aratus Phebes "The Soft-Spoken General"> Hey I will just say now I forgot I gave you the ability for your messages to always arrive safely. That doesn't make sense as an ability for you, since I was thinking of Hermes instead of Apollo. Would you accept 'take 5% less casualities in battles' instead? It should be quite good
2025-06-05T19:32:38.074-07:00
Sad! I was writing my messages under the understanding that they were guaranteed
2025-06-05T19:33:16.722-07:00
Sure. That sounds good. It means I should lose very little in a win, and losing shouldn't be so painful
2025-06-05T19:35:45.543-07:00
I think the ability will keep you going when times are tough too, when other armies might start bleeding out
2025-06-05T19:35:56.271-07:00
Apologies for the change-up!
2025-06-05T19:48:53.647-07:00
I was confused why I didn't get a reply and there were military actions happening.
2025-06-05T20:00:10.644-07:00
**A Message For You** <@Win-chester, Wizard> A messenger arrives at your tent with a letter for you: "To Lord Win-Chester, I write to you confused. I hope it is just a mistake as result of the delay in communications between our nations. Please inform us as to your intent, while we were notified of potential military actions in the area from Ther Khuldir the Cult strongly advised that such actions be made further from our borders. I hope that the current actions were not made with direct knowledge of our current communications. As this would be a sour note to start a potential alliance between us. I ask for a hasty reply, otherwise this tenuous relationship we have embarked on together may end before it has started. From, Stratigos Aratus Phebes Do not mistake kindness for weakness, or a smile where there are fangs"
2025-06-05T20:13:32.960-07:00
With this new information, can I send an armed escort with the message, and resend the original message to Lord Win-chester. I want the escort to have men that stagger their return until the message has been received. That way I know that if they dont return how far they were until they were intercepted.
2025-06-05T20:41:40.169-07:00
<@Win-chester, Wizard> The messenger sent by the Stratigos was armed, and also gives you a copy of a message she says her general sent to you a few days prior: “To my well-established neighbor, This is, unfortunately, news to me. You have my deepest gratitude and my assurance that this is being looked into with the upmost priority. While it is true that the Cult is more apt for countering such measures, they are not easily replicated by those outside the cult. In an act of gratitude, we will provide intelligence of their current positions when it becomes available. Any correspondence with such information will expected to be destroyed afterwards as a gesture of good will between our nations. As far as the military movement so close to the Cult's borders. Do not cross the river and stay north of Hogwhole tower. We lay no claim over the Plains of Sorrow, but should a fortified position be created that could mount an offense against the Cult, I will be forced to intervene with overwhelming force. I am not unreasonable enough to dictate your nation's policies but I will provide an area that would cause issue in an effort to be transparent. As far as the Empire, it is my desire to stay out of the discord unless forced. However, in a moment of vulnerability, it is my desire that your Faction come out on top of this and I am incentivized to covertly offer help. We are a long road from allies, but this is definitely the beginning. One that I have no problem walking with you. As such, I will maintain positive communications with Ther Khuldir and offer a corresponding amount of support as I am able. Best Wishes, Stratigos Aratus Phebes Do not play the pig to eat the tiger against a giant”
2025-06-05T20:42:44.235-07:00
<@Win-chester, Wizard> The second message comes with a drawing:
2025-06-05T20:52:19.052-07:00
My apologies for any miscommunication, we are merely passing by. Our aim is to provide support to allies in the desert, it is not our intention to step on any toes or stay in your territory. If this is something you are willing to accept, please reply with haste.
2025-06-05T21:14:01.707-07:00
<@Win-chester, Wizard> The messenger will return to her general tonight with the message, she swears.
2025-06-06T00:01:02.934-07:00
**A tired messenger, with a response** @tryno “My apologies for any miscommunication, we are merely passing by. Our aim is to provide support to allies in the desert, it is not our intention to step on any toes or stay in your territory. If this is something you are willing to accept, please reply with haste.”
2025-06-06T00:08:10.223-07:00
Ping messed up <@Stratigos Aratus Phebes "The Soft-Spoken General">
2025-06-06T00:09:05.687-07:00
When was I supposed to get it?
2025-06-06T07:00:14.386-07:00
**A Message For You** <@Skynax the Insatiable> One of your horde approaches you, holding a blood-soaked piece of paper. He tells you that this found on the body of a fool who approached the camp. It reads: "I want to send an envoy to the army marching on Nyophani. To whom marches towards us, It appears that my list of chores grows each day. I must demand that you stop your advance and would like to know of the group that is so fearless as to march upon the Cult of Apollo. In the spirit of mercy, I would like to request a parlance with the one who speaks for your army to better understand your purposes. While I am not enthused by the military actions you are enacting currently, I also know that there must be an underlying reason. I find myself with too many enemies as of late, and would strongly desire not to add to that list. It is not that I am not capable of dealing with more, I just find myself lacking time with my family. As I am sure you can relate. So if you would do me a favor and at least attempt a dialogue with the Cult of Apollo, you would have my personal gratitude even if in the end we must come to conflict. From, Stratigos Aratus Phebes Though we meet with uncertain intentions, let us at least attempt grace."
2025-06-06T09:29:20.540-07:00
It showed up at the right time, it just didn’t ping you correctly
2025-06-06T10:48:04.615-07:00
<@Win-chester, Wizard> What is your plan now that Hogwhale is collect and ready to move on? You have this last day of marching left, you could take boats and make it up to the highlands today. Given you wont see this for awhile, we'll just delay today's actions until later
2025-06-06T10:49:24.008-07:00
One thing that does happen is a passing ship comes and gossips with the guard captain from Hogwhale's tower: A strange army, full of men and women covered in scars plus some huge feathered beasts appeared out of the mountains of chaos and into Cult of Apollo territory
2025-06-06T11:17:51.572-07:00
Your horde forages today, stealing supplies from the few villages in the area. You are fully stock with supplies, and your army settles in to rest for the next two days.
2025-06-06T11:18:03.357-07:00
<@Skynax the Insatiable>
2025-06-06T11:23:50.573-07:00
<@Seregra the Cantorshade> The Poachers attract trouble again today. The strange hounds from two days ago are still in the area, and come sniffing around. The hounds seem engorged to an almost comical degree. They silently hover near the Poachers, not attacking. Eventually, if you direct the poachers to leave them alone, they will wander off at the end of the day.
2025-06-06T12:00:01.502-07:00
**Arrival at Thassini** Your army arrives outside of Thassini. The folks there are nervous about the empire's message but are willing to follow your orders. They will begin setting up white flags, and you and the mercenary detachment will stay in town while the rest of the army heads out of sight. You know the army is hidden, at least as far as regular folks are concerned. If an army with scouts comes this way, your army would be visible.
2025-06-06T12:41:27.705-07:00
Who is this message from?
2025-06-06T12:41:39.566-07:00
Northern covenant?
2025-06-06T12:57:12.960-07:00
Yeah it was a reply from Win-Chester
2025-06-06T12:58:23.494-07:00
Send back an answer that says 'For now, my future ally.'
2025-06-06T12:58:28.927-07:00
That's the whole message
2025-06-06T14:25:55.240-07:00
<@Spymaster Cassian> again, forgot a ping
2025-06-06T15:00:02.800-07:00
**A response** “Send back an answer that says 'For now, my future ally.'” <@Win-chester, Wizard>
2025-06-06T15:27:13.432-07:00
Er wasn’t supposed to have that first bit, but you get the gist
2025-06-06T16:03:24.173-07:00
A few questions! 1. Did the northern covenant ever get back to us? I'd like to send them the cannibals if so! 2. Did the nomads ever answer us? If they messed w/ the messengers we will probably retaliate and escalate 3. For the strange hounds -- are they acting sluggish while they're comically overfed? Was the one we raised potent? We'd risk a skirmish if the one we raised is cool/useful. (probably merely a gunline behind the skeletons w/ flanking cavalry ready-to-go, we don't want to get near them again if we can help it)
2025-06-06T17:00:02.874-07:00
**Lost in the Tunnels -- again** Your guides lead you through another day's worth of tunnels. They tell you that you gotten twisted around again, and won't make it to the surface this week, unless you push your troops to march when they will want to rest over the next two days. Your army camps, miserably, among the tunnels.
2025-06-06T17:36:37.552-07:00
1. You never got a response 2. No, but the messenger was not harmed 3. Oh did you raise one? Idk if I can handle you just raising literally anything that dies, we need rules for this
2025-06-06T17:37:09.135-07:00
Christ I read the message as ‘put it on a spike as triumph’ lol
2025-06-06T17:39:13.458-07:00
Cool. I kinda figure it's a situation where the power comes from the necromancer, not that which was killed? e.g., bones tend to make skeletons that aren't super cool unless something weird happens. If that's the case, we happily leave the mutants alone
2025-06-06T17:44:13.388-07:00
Okay, what about: Necromancer: You can spend a week to raise up to 100 skeletons. Settlements have X number of skeletons to raise, equal to their settlement score per year. Battles produce corpses that can be used for this. Monster corpses are worth the same amount as how much they are worth in battle, so the hound would be worth 25
2025-06-06T17:44:52.813-07:00
Seregra can still move and do hers cause she’s special
2025-06-06T17:44:58.130-07:00
Oh sure that sounds good
2025-06-06T17:45:02.061-07:00
Okay
2025-06-06T17:45:28.694-07:00
You do actually have spells and shit that I just realized you have no idea about. I should provide them so you have an idea of what Ardonis can get up to
2025-06-06T17:47:18.291-07:00
I havent figured out how many skeletons Seregra has raised this week yet. Likely there’s enough in the old camp to meet the 100 skeletons threshold. Also if you want to summon something special, like a chaos worm skeleton, have Ardonis research that
2025-06-06T17:47:48.642-07:00
Do you want to fight the hounds today still?
2025-06-06T17:48:32.448-07:00
hmm. I don't think so! Maybe if they were asleep. 😄
2025-06-06T17:49:10.139-07:00
Nah they are awake, just somewhat docile today
2025-06-06T17:49:37.552-07:00
I think given that we've got enough *raw material* as-is we're good!
2025-06-06T17:49:45.250-07:00
I am still not sure I like monster raising rules, I’ll think about it more. You get the first hound tho
2025-06-06T17:49:50.334-07:00
Okay!
2025-06-06T17:50:37.164-07:00
Cool deal, however it ends up working is fine. If it's super good and they pop out as little baby vampire super hounds, then definitely, raise em all! Also that's probably a horrible idea
2025-06-07T20:28:49.699-07:00
<@&1376683054965194792> Hey thanks for playing in the first week! It’s nice that the armies chill on Saturdays and Sundays, since I want to do that too.
Orders are due tomorrow night at