You give Mavro a look, and she returns it, momentarily confused at your suddenly hardened features. A light of understanding crosses her face and she takes up her spear, hopping lightly to her feet and running over to join you. You approach the gathering of your corporals with Mav at your side, removing your hand from your belt and attempting to assume a sense of purpose. The effect is not noticeable from behind their enveloping helms, though they at least grant you a slight nod in greeting.
You address the three of them, speaking quickly but firmly.
Right, we haven't much time, so I'll make this brief. From what we've learned the raiders know we're here, they have captured our lead scout and are currently holding him. Their eyes widen in surprise from behind their masks. Aiku crosses his arms, what can be seen of his face set in stone, and intones in your language with his rich, airy accent.
Shall we mount a rescue, then? You shake your head with finality.
Not possible. I'm afraid he'll remain secondary. We can't endanger the lives of our entire force just to save one man. They nod solemnly. It made sense.
We'll be moving out now. Get the men into position around the edge of the forest, as close as you can get them without exposing ourselves. Can't risk tipping our hand until the others arrive. On that note, we'll have three of our scouts move out to rally the other companies, then concentrate our forces and go from there. Ginko leans towards his two brothers and speaks quickly in their tribal language. Aiku nods and turns back towards you.
My brother would like to know, will we simply be sallying as one, or will the other companies attack from separate positions? His brow furrows with thoughtful concern.
I understand his feelings about cutting off the enemy's escape, though if we were to run into trouble, it would be quite difficult to alter our tactics in the heat of combat. You're opening your mouth to reply when suddenly Mavro speaks up.
I'm sure the other companies can handle themselves. We haven't a general, each group has operates on its own authority once they're on the battlefield. They aren't limited by a high command, and as such they have the ability to improvise new tactics at any time. She glances at you, that fiery disposition flashing at you from just behind her eyes. It fades just as quickly as it came and she manages to bring herself under control, turning back towards the others.
I'm sure whatever Sir Kelarn decides, the others will be more than capable of carrying out. The corporals voice their agreement, apparently impressed with your squire's bravery, and you regard her with approval.
You turn your attention back to the matter at hand, raising your voice to address the entire company.
Very well. We're breaking camp men! Have the runners guide the other companies to our eventual position near the enemy camp, you'll have to establish it first so get to it, and stay quiet. I want all of this done within the hour, so do your job, and do it right the first time. Consult your officers and move out. Your men call affirmatives and the force is soon moving softly through the wood.
Two hours later the entire band of mercenaries has been assembled along the edge of the grove. You've been watching the camp quietly from your position near a trio of fallen trees, the only place that offers a man of your size any sort of cover. Your scouts were wrong, the Litelachians number more than forty total, and there's likely about a dozen more that you haven't seen yet. You swear under your breath. This isn't going to be quite as easy as you'd hoped. Victory is still assured by sheer force of numbers, but it may be a costly one. You shrug mentally. They
are only mercenaries after all, but they're still human beings. You hear the men talking quietly a few feet away from you. Not quietly enough however, as one of the veteran soldiers reprimands them in an angry whisper. They seem to be getting restless. The raider sentries are in the same position they've been for the past thirty minutes, since their last shift. You pause to glance upward at the sky and note the lack of clouds, not even the slightest wisp. Someone muffles a cough and you hear scattered snickering. You look backwards at the troops, crouched behind thick trees and lying in low ditches. They seem as ready as they'll ever be.
Player CharacterName: Nerev "Kell" Kelarn
Gender: Male
Race: Human
Home Region: Kiltrar
Affiliation: The Gray Blades
Armour: Full Reinforced Gantinite Plate - impervious to piercing damage, high slashing defence, average crushing defence; heavy - jumping, dodging and sprinting is impossible; become tired more quickly
Weapons:
Black Iron Kite Shield,
Light Silver Long SwordEquipment: None.
For stored gear see the Extra Character Details subject line at the bottom of the OP.Wealth: 1040 Silver Coins
Health:
WellStatus: Gray Blade Mercenary
Main Non-Player CharacterName: Alexendria "Mav" Mavro
Gender: Female
Race: Human
Age: 14
Personality: Intelligent and eager to learn. Brave of heart, brazen and chivalrous. Honour is a huge inspiration, being the type of person that would throw her entire self into a conflict, even when faced against tough odds. Prideful, especially when challenged but when broken has a tendency of temporarily assuming a defeatist attitude. Well versed in hand fighting and weapon combat, but tends to favour a spear.
Appearance: Lean and athletic, her height is above-average for her age. Long brown-blonde hair surrounds her smooth, sharp features and lightly freckled cheeks and accents her jet black irises well.
Armour: Training Leathers
Weapons: Polished Steel Spear, Light Banded Buckler
Equipment: None.
Wealth: 10 Silver Coins
Health:
WellStatus: Sir Kelarn's Squire
Locale: Oceania, Bané Bané Peninsula - Hiketo Wood
Contractor: The Republic of Oceania
Mission: By the Hand of the Official Emissary to the Mainland - Despite our efforts to eradicate the encroaching Litelachian forces, they still maintain a token force on our borders, and they constantly harry our vanguard companies patrolling the area. We will allow enough silver to satisfy a hundred mercenaries and their company in order for them to wipe out all trace of these interlopers. Our estimates indicate a small standing force. It should not be a problem for the Gray Blades.
Compensation: 500 Silvers + 200 Silvers if the Litelachians are "wiped out"
Conditions: The invading force must be reduced by at least half their original numbers in order to receive pay. If the attacking party is reduced to below 10% of their original strength upon conducting their first assault, the remaining members will be given a 100 Silver consolation bonus, regardless of whether the original condition was fulfilled or not.
Estimated Duration: Less than one week
Deadline: The band must set out by [tonight].
Locale: Varen Confederation, West Fesil Region - Borma Peak
Contractor: Borma Garrison
Mission: Defeat the Jet-Steel Knights visiting the region.
Compensation: 1000 Silvers + 100 Silvers per Knight killed
Conditions: The knights must leave the immediate area and the garrison cannot be harmed. There is no compensation pay should the applicant fail, though all medical expenses will be covered in either case.
Estimated Duration: Two days of travel time.
Deadline: [one month from now]- Former Kiltran Noble - no standing amongst the court
- Survived the Battle of Hiketo Swamp
- Defeated Hokuta Vvoric in single combat
Duncan the Contractor - Affiliated - Unfriendly
Kippa the Blacksmith - Friend
Senator Hokuta Vvoric - Amicable
Located on a low knoll just outside Bané-Bané Peninsula's castle.
- Main Hall: Meet with officials and hire professional troops
- Smithy: Improve and apppraise weapons and equipment
- Contract Office: Obtain Gray Blade contracts and collect payment for completed ones
- Carrier Stable: Rent a carrier to take you somewhere
- Apothecary: Rest and heal your wounds
- Officer's Mess: Speak to knights you know and purchase information
- Chapel: Bless items and gear and banish unholy forces
The Kingdom of Oceania's only territory on the mainland. There is a single castle with a pitifully small village outlying it where some of the poorer merchants reside. It houses one of Oceania's three Legions, a massive standing army made up of their mightiest troops, as well as one of the most expansive ports in the known world. The Oceanian Queen allows the Gray Blades to have a fortress in the area, as all Oceanians loathe setting foot beyond the sandy coast and take advantage of their services often.
- Keep: Meet with the court
- Tavern: Hear local news and hire unprofessional individuals
- Market: Purchase and sell items
Hires
1 Armoured Car - 1 Driver, 2 Guards
Personal Force (Contracted)
13 Knights
- 10 Medium (Experienced)
- 3 Light (Veteran)
42 Footmen
- 8 Archers (Green)
- 28 Swordsmen (Green)
- 6 Lancers (Veteran)
Gallus (green archer - lead scout) is being held in the Litelachian Raider camp, and is not counted amongst the troops.
Allies
200+ Mixed Infantry
87 Knights