The Black Baron

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<center> Hello, and welcome to <h1 style="background-color:White; color:Black;"><b><u>The Black Baron.</u></b></h1> This is a game made by Colossal Project Productions (known as Colossal PP). Please support us on [[https://www.patreon.com/ColossalProjectProductions<-Patreon.]] <p>''This is a completely free game, if you paid for this, YOU GOT SCAMMED.''</p> <u>This game is made by adults and ALL characters in the game are adults. If you are not an adult, you should close the game.</u> <<set $Ambition to 0>>\ <<set $hadSex to 0>>\ <<set $hadBj to 0>>\ <<set $hadCun to 0>>\ <<set $Bonus to 0>>\ <<set $Rounds to 0>>\ <<set $Action to "Attack">>\ <<set $Roll to 0>>\ <<set $EHealth to 100>>\ <<set $EForm to 100>>\ <<set $Health to 100>>\ <<set $Form to 100>>\ <<set $Shield to "Crude">>\ <<set $Sheethide to 1>> <<set $rank to "Noble">>\ <<set $Morale to -2>>\ <<set $sMorale to "Shaken">>\ <<set $Dread to 0>>\ <<set $sDread to "">>\ <<set $mcTitle to "Baron">> <<set $mcRealm to "unknown">>\ <<set $Fame to 0>>\ <<set $Piety to 0>>\ <<set $Command to 0>>\ <<set $Sword to "Family">>\ <<set $Helmet to "Nasal">>\ <<set $Chest to "Brigandine">>\ <<set $Footwear to "Leather">>\ <<set $Martial to 0>><<set $sFame to "Neither Feared nor respected, you are little known to anyone except your father's Barony's neighbors">>\ <<set $sPiety to "Untested in moral conundrums, who knows where your souls will go">>\ <<set $sCommand to "Nobody respects your skill as a leader">>\ <<set $sMartial to "Probably good enough to kill a peasant">>\ <<set $gold to 60>> The game is going to test some traits throughout the story, which you can check at any time by pushing the Character Sheet button on the left (will be available once you input your name). You can only increase them to 100 via normal means. These traits are: -<h style="background-color:White; color:Black"><b>Dread</b></h>: The fear you inspire among the commoners and nobles, friendly and enemy. -<b>Fame</b>: Your respect among the realm's lords and peasants. -<h style="color:gold">Piety</h>: Your personal moral integrity and devotion to the Holy Script. -<h style="color:grey;background-color:Black">Command</h>: Your skill at leading men. Knowledge of military tactics and the ability to use them. -<h style="color:red;background-color:Black">Martial</h>: Your melee (and to a certain degree, ranged) skill. As most nobles do, you use sword, shield and spear/lance. There are also some hidden traits that you will not be privy to the changes of. The story is set in a low-fantasy medieval world, where you play as the son of a poor Baron, of a Kingdom at War. You may end the game impoverished and with your reputation ruined, as you will start it off,\ or you may end it as the man everyone wants to be. Good luck! [[Prologue]] [[A note about imagepacks|IMAGEPACKS]] </center>

Version:0.3 Alpha <center> <<if $Sheethide !== 1>><<button "Character Sheet">> <<script>> Dialog.setup("Character Sheet"); Dialog.wiki(Story.get("Character Sheet").processText()); Dialog.open(); <</script>> <</button>> <<button "Inventory">> <<script>> Dialog.setup("Inventory"); Dialog.wiki(Story.get("Inventory").processText()); Dialog.open(); <</script>> <</button>> <<button "Encyclopedia">> <<script>> Dialog.setup("Encyclopedia"); Dialog.wiki(Story.get("Encyclopedia").processText()); Dialog.open(); <</script>> <</button>> <</if>> </center>

<center>\ Lord $mcTitle $mcName Czarny of $mcRealm <img src="images/BB/misc/BARON.webp" width="300" height="225">\ <h style="background-color:Black;color:gold">''Rank:$rank''</h> <h style="background-color:Black;color:gold">''Gold:$gold''</h> <<include "_skillupdate">> \ \ \ ''Morale'' - ''$Morale'' ''$sMorale'' \ <h style="background-color:White;color:Black">''Dread'' - ''$Dread''</h> <h style="background-color:Black;color:white">''$sDread''</h> \ <h style="color:white;"> ''Fame'' - ''$Fame'' </h> <h style="color:black; background-color:White">''$sFame''</h> \ <h style="color:gold;">''Piety - $Piety''</h> <h style="background-color:gold;color:black">''$sPiety''</h>\ <h style="color:grey;">''Command - $Command''</h> <h style="background-color:grey;">''$sCommand'' </h>\ <h style="color:red;">''Martial - $Martial'' </h> <h style="background-color:red;">''$sMartial''</h>\ </center> <<silently>> <<linkreplace "CHEAT">> <<set $Morale to 100>>\ <<set $Dread to 100>>\ <<set $Fame to 100>>\ <<set $Piety to 100>>\ <<set $Command to 100>>\ <<set $Martial to 100>>\ <</linkreplace>>\ <</silently>>

<p>You are a young man, the son of a poor $mcTitle in the army of the Krol (known hereafter as King). The realm you live and serve in, the Kingdom of Swiatla, has come under attack from the South, the Great Vizierlik of Faiz. The King, Yaroslav of the Wist House, has managed to defend most of the borderlands and is currently amassing an army host to attack the neighboring Principality, which joined the Vizier's army in it's attack against your Kingdom, as well as letting them attack you from their territory. Their incursion into your Kingdom's lands, reached just outside of your own Barony, and destroyed much of the life in these counties and baronies, which are, quite creatively called the borderlands. <img src="images/BB/misc/BARON.webp" width="300" height="225"> You have been sent by your father as his Warmaster and Young $mcTitle (descriptive title denoting your heritage) to join the Kingdom's Crusade against these heretical invaders. Should you prove yourself to be useful, there will certainly be much to gain. But should you prove yourself incompetent, your already impoverished Barony (and House with it) might just fall to the crushing indifference of the world. </p> <span class='red'>[[Continue|Prologue2]]</span>

<p>After an almost two-day nonstop forced march, you and your twenty men have arrived at the hill of just south of the Marnava River, where the King's Army is almost complete for the purposes of this campaign. Seeing the number of troops here, you're surprised it's not all of the army, as you've heard from a couple of patrols and travellers on your way here. This is without a doubt a large enough army already to attack the Holliks. Regardless, all you can think of is coming to a stop, finally getting off your horse and resting your sorry ass for a bit. </p> <p>\ As you approach the camp outskirts, one of the guards approaches and asks you, politely, to present yourself. </p> <img src="images/BB/misc/guards.jpg" width="300" height="225"> <p>Guard: "My lord, apologies for the intrusion, but would you please introduce yourself?" \ \ <<script>> Dialog.setup("Explanation"); Dialog.wiki(Story.get("Explanation").processText()); Dialog.open(); <</script>> "Good day, friend, I am Young $mcTitle <b><i>(Name of your barony)</i></b><<textbox "$mcRealm" "Las">> and my name is <h style="color:White"><b><i>(Your Given Name)</i></b></h><<textbox "$mcName" "Jan">>, am I on the list?" \ With a chuckle, the guard states: "Aye m'Lord, yer on the list. You and <<link "your man">> <<script>> Dialog.setup("Explanation"); Dialog.wiki(Story.get("Sergeant").processText()); Dialog.open(); <</script>> <</link>> should set up on the hills, the men are to join the rest of the peasants over there, and the Lord Wolner asked every Lord that arrives check in with him and affirm his levy size. Baron $mcRealm:"You heard him Gareth, [[let's go|Settling In]]."</p> \ \ \ \ \ \ \ \ \ \ \ \ \ \ \ \ \ \ \

Unit - a formation of usually 20 men.

<<nobr>> <<if $Morale > 100>> <<set $Morale to 100>><</if>> <<if $Morale < 0>> <<set $Morale to 0>><</if>> <<if $Dread < 0>> <<set $Dread to 0>><</if>> <<if $Dread > 100>> <<set $Dread to 100>><</if>> <<if $Fame > 100>> <<set $Fame to 100>><</if>> <<if $Fame < 0>> <<set $Fame to 0>><</if>> <<if $Piety > 100>> <<set $Piety to 100>><</if>> <<if $Piety <0>> <<set $Piety to 0>><</if>> <<if $Command > 100>> <<set $Command to 100>><</if>> <<if $Command <0 >> <<set $Command to 0>><</if>> <<if $Martial > 100>> <<set $Martial to 100>><</if>> <<if $Martial < 0>> <<set $Martial to 0>><</if>> <<if $Morale >= 0 >><<set $sMorale to "Terrified">><</if>> <<if $Morale > 25>><<set $sMorale to "Shaken">> <</if>> <<if $Morale >= 50>><<set $sMorale to "Stable">> <</if>> <<if $Morale > 65>><<set $sMorale to "Eager">><</if>> <<if $Morale > 80>><<set $sMorale to "Unflinching">><</if>> <<if $Dread eq 0>> <<set $sDread to "Uninvolved in the art of Fear">><</if>> <<if $Dread > 0>> <<set $sDread to "Has definitely heard of Fear">><</if>> <<if $Dread > 25>> <<set $sDread to "You've learned that Fear is a tool">><</if>> <<if $Dread > 50>> <<set $sDread to "Fear is a good tool">><</if>> <<if $Dread > 75>> <<set $sDread to "Your gaze inspires dread">><</if>> <<if $Dread > 90>> <<set $sDread to "The only thing to fear... is you... and then fear">><</if>> <<if $Fame eq 0>><<set $sFame to "Neither Feared nor respected, you are little known to anyone except some of $mcRealm's neighbors">><</if>> <<if $Fame > 0>><<set $sFame to "The $mcTitle of $mcRealm, Lord in the Kingdom">><</if>> <<if $Fame > 25>><<set $sFame to "Quite a good $mcTitle, considering what circumstances you've to deal with">> <</if>> <<if $Fame > 50>><<set $sFame to "The best $mcTitle in the Kingdom">> <</if>> <<if $Fame > 75>><<set $sFame to "If you haven't heard of $mcNick, you've lived your whole life under a rock">><</if>> <<if $Fame > 90>><<set $sFame to "The King may only admire your reputation">><</if>> <<if $Piety eq 0>><<set $sPiety to "Untested in moral conundrums, who knows where your soul will go">> <</if>> <<if $Piety > 0>><<set $sPiety to "You believe there's something immoral about murder">> <</if>> <<if $Piety > 25>><<set $sPiety to "The averagely pious noble">> <</if>> <<if $Piety > 50>><<set $sPiety to "$mcNick the Pious">> <</if>> <<if $Piety > 75>><<set $sPiety to "$mcNick, to be sanctified upon death">> <</if>> <<if $Piety > 90>><<set $sPiety to "$mcNick, the living Saint">> <</if>> <<if $Command eq 0>><<set $sCommand to "Could point out the enemy to an armed rabble">> <</if>> <<if $Command > 0>><<set $sCommand to "Killing your enemies is a good thing... you think">> <</if>> <<if $Command > 25>><<set $sCommand to "Career Warleader">> <</if>> <<if $Command > 50>><<set $sCommand to "You make leadership seem effortless">> <</if>> <<if $Command > 75>><<set $sCommand to "Best commander on the field">> <</if>> <<if $Command > 90>><<set $sCommand to "$mcNick, the Wojewoda">> <</if>> <<if $Martial eq 0>><<set $sMartial to "Good enough to kill a peasant... Probably">> <</if>> <<if $Martial > 0>><<set $sMartial to "Can confidently kill peasants">> <</if>> <<if $Martial > 25>><<set $sMartial to "Most nobles don't actually learn to fight much... you aren't one of them">> <</if>> <<if $Martial > 50>><<set $sMartial to "You're a reliable Knight and Warrior">> <</if>> <<if $Martial > 75>><<set $sMartial to "Your weapons are an extension of you">> <</if>> <<if $Martial > 90>><<set $sMartial to "$mcNick, Elite Knight">> <</if>> <</nobr>>

Wojewoda - military (and sometimes noble) rank. Translated - Warleader.

Open Dialogue box <<script>> Dialog.setup("Dialog Title"); Dialog.wiki(Story.get("Character Sheet").processText()); Dialog.open(); <</script>> Explanation text <<link "your man">> <<script>> Dialog.setup("Explanation"); Dialog.wiki(Story.get("Sergeant").processText()); Dialog.open(); <</script>> <</link>>

In this realm, with the exception of higher nobility and the King Wist, nobles refer to each other by their title followed by their estate's name, not their family or dynasty name. Example: Baron Steve of House Stephenson whose Barony is called Blackwood, would refer to himself as Baron (or more vaguely, perhaps Lord) Blackwood, not Baron Stephenson. This naming tradition stands even if you use the first name as well, for example Baron Steve Blackwood, rather than Baron Steve Stephenson. A Wojewoda (Grand Duke), Knyaz (Duke) or Hrabia (Count) may be referred to by their title followed by their family or even personal name.

<center> <img src="images/BB/misc/Gareth.jpg" width="300" height="450"> Sergeant Gareth - your second-in-command, allowed almost everywhere you are, and something of a personal bodyguard. Also happens to be a good friend to you. </center>

<<unset $Sheethide>> <p>You canter your two horses to what seems like a nice place for a tentsite, then order Gareth to set it up for you.</p> As you inform him that you're off to find Lord Wolner, he says: Gareth:"Remember to come back and train, or at least make sure your equipment is fine, Lord." <center><img src="images/BB/misc/Hilltent.webp" width="300" height="225"></center> <p>You move on, now on foot, towards where you assume Lord Wolner's tent would be, at the top of the hill, standing just a few dozen meters next to the King's own tent. However, he isn't there, so you ask one of his guardsmen of his whereabouts.</p> \ <<set $mcNick to $mcTitle + " " + $mcRealm>>\ <div class='cb'>$mcNick:"You there, lad, where is Lord Wolner?"</div> Wolner's Sergeant:"I've no clue, mate, but I presume you're 'ere to report for duty." <div class='cb'>$mcNick:"Correct."</div> Wolner's Sergeant:"Lemme git a pincil.I'm the one you're lookin' fer." <p>You note the disgusting accent with which he speaks, realizing that probably most of Lord Wolner's men will speak that way, considering he's the Duke of Kellistra, bordering the Holliks to the east, the Atmanate to the southwest, and the Faiz to the south. He comes back with quill and paper in hand and asks...</p> <<set $wRealm to "Kellistra">> Wolner's Sergeant:"What is your name, and how many men have you brought m'lord?" <div class='cb'>$mcNick:"My full name is Lord $mcTitle $mcName Czarny of $mcRealm, and I've 20 men with me, plus myself and my lad Gareth."</div> Wolner's Sergeant:"They all <<link "militia">> <<script>> Dialog.setup("Military rankings"); Dialog.wiki(Story.get("Wojska").processText()); Dialog.open(); <</script>> <</link>>, I presume?" <div class='cb'>$mcNick:"Correct."</div> Wolner's Sergeant:"Thank you, m'lord, that is all." <p>You grunt in response and walk away. With that done, you decide to do a little <<linkappend "exploring.">> <<include HillCamp1>><</linkappend>> \ \ \ \ \ \ \ \ \ \ </p>

<center> Militia - Untrained, conscripted peasants with practically no equipment. Sometimes referred to as just peasants. Auxiliary - Men (usually militia) who are employed for the purposes of scouting and then foraging supply locations. Man-at-arms - Well equipped, usually quite experienced non-noble fighters. Knights - Non-hereditary title given to the absolute elite of fighers, noble and commoner alike. Often interchangeably used with cavalry, specifically heavy cavalry, because unmounted knights join the Men-at-arms. Sergeant - In skill and equipment, these men range from the level of veteran militiamen to veteran knights, but their purpose is to drill the men, organize them in between battles as well as ensure the carrying out of orders given by the Lords. </center>

The first thing you notice, from the top of this hilltop, is your men having a bit of a tough time finding a place to settle into. Seems there's a bit of a kerfuffle. You might wanna go and help them out. Your barony is already small and weak, and having your men's appreciation could be the first step towards securing your dynasty's future. Just off to the side of the central campfire, you notice an infirmary and a shrine attached to it. You obviously don't need the medical aid, even though your buttocks still feel like wood from riding for two days, but Otherworldly Grace certainly can't hurt you. Or perhaps you ought to just fuck off back to Gareth, he did mention some training. Bloody insane, that man. <center> [[Help your men out|HillCamp]] [[Go Pray|HillPrayer]] [[Go back to Gareth|HillGareth]] </center>

\ "Oy ye feckin' cunt! You wanna tussle, is tha' it!?!" - You hear it before you even realize why your men have been struggling finding a site. "Fuck you, it's an empty spot! This is ours now" "What're you gonna do, stinky focks! Stab us with them pikes? Look at ye..." <p>It is then that you are finally able to make some sense of the situation and who's who. The men right in front of you, with their backs to you are telling your men they can't settle down right there. Your men on the other hand, aren't letting down and have decided to settle here, and now it seems like a battle is about to ensue. Stupid as it may be to challenge clearly better equipped soldiers than them, it is a pretty nice spot, considering it's right next to the center of the camp, and away from the hill enough that the noble's shitters aren't gonna raing down on them during the night. They just have to <<linkappend "deal with the men in front of them!">>\ <br> Well that certainly ain't happening, a fight breaking out would be horrible for your men's health, and even worse for you in the political sense. A bunch of men-at-arms attacked by a shitty Baron's peasants. It would ruin you.<</linkappend>>\ </p> <img src="images/BB/misc/Guarguing.jpg" width=300 height = 300> <p>You ought to intervene. But what will you do?</p> <center> [[Put the Almighty's Fear in them|HillDread]] [[Order the men to desist|HillCommand]]</center>

<<set $s to "P">><<include increaseBy5>> <p>The shrine, if it can even be called that, is just a table inside of a thin flimsy tent upon which offerings have been placed, presumably from the various soldiers who wish to ensure their souls' safety if they don't make it through the next battle. <center><img src="images/BB/misc/Rosary.webp" width="175" height="260"></center>\ As you kneel down and start praying, the words of the Holy Script already practiced and drilled into you throughout your education:"Ojcze nasz...", you remember the Holy Script... The Holy Script states that there is one God, the Almighty, and He demands from His Children, the Humans, to love one another, to care for one another, to live in humility, and to carry the weight of your Sins without anger. Your fight with Sin is Eternal. This prayer serves to alleviate at least a little bit of the doom and gloom which has been hovering over your head since you set out from $mcRealm. "<<linkreplace "...ale nas zbaw od złego.">> ...and save us from evil. <</linkreplace>>"</p> <center> [[What a pussy you are|Hill1][$Piety-=5]] [[May the Almighty forgive the Höll as well.|Hill1][$Piety+=10]] [[Amen|Hill1]] ''//Check your Character Sheet. This is the only time you will be notified of a skill change//''. \ \ \ </center>

You walk back to see your tent up and standing, Gareth next to the tent, checking his axe. <img src="images/BB/misc/Tent.webp" width=300 height = 300> <div class='s'>Gareth:"Welcome back, m'lord, I'm about to unpack your things inside, just after I sharpen <<linkappend "Ol' Harlot">> (Gareth's axe) <</linkappend>> here. You know what I always say, Lord."</div> <div class='cb'>$mcNick:"Keep doing that, I'll unpack my own things."</div>\ <div class='s'>Gareth:"Yes, sir."</div> <div class='cb'>$mcNick:"Then we fight."</div> <p>To this, Gareth only smiles in response, knuckles white while gripping his Harlot. You head in, clean up a bit of the ground where you intend to put your sleeping cot. You unfurl it and place it down on the ground. You pull the chest with your clothes inside, open it, move all the dirty clothes away to take them to somebody to wash them and bring up the slightly less dirty clothes from the bottom to the top. You don't bother with setting up a stool and table from which to write letters. After all, you got here pretty late and suspect you won't be staying here long. On top of that, you're a lowly $mcTitle, it's unlikely you'll have much correspondence of any kind. Because of that, you quickly get done with the rest of the settling in, and step out to tussle with Gareth.</p> \ <div class='s'>Gareth:"Shall we?"</div> <div class='cb'>$mcNick:"We shall."</div> <p>You and Gareth spar the way you've always sparred, like a pair of hungry beasts fighting for the last strip of meat. For a while you spar with wooden swords, then with blunted ones, then with shields, and again without shields, an so on and you're sure you're gonna feel a bit tired tomorrow. Still, this is worthwhile. One can never have enough training.\ <<set $s to "M">> <<include increaseBy5>>\ A little over an hour passes and you're now certain you're going to be exhausted come the morrow. Ending your sparring session, you two sit down on the grass and start talking, like when you were children.</p> <div class='s'>Gareth:"Haah...ahh... That was a good session, m'lord."</div> <div class='cb'>$mcNick:"Ooof," you yelp, as you sit down next to him:"yeah that was pretty bad. Also you don't have to call me lord, brother. There's no one around."</div> <div class='s'>Gareth:"Gotcha." Gareth:"Hey, you think we're gonna have to ride like these past few days again? You said you expect us to go on the move soon."</div> <div class='cb'>$mcNick:"No way. We rode the way we did because it was us 22 men and we had to get to the camp quickly. If this whole army goes on the march, we will be moving at a much slower pace than our merry little band had to on the way here."</div> <div class='s'>Gareth:"Good. I thought this training would get the blood flowing again, but my buttocks still feel like they're choking."</div> <div class='cb'>$mcNick:"Hahahaha, choking? I've never heard that term used in that way before..."</div> <p>You continue to chat for a little bit while waiting to come down from the exhaustion.</p> <div class='cb'>$mcNick:"I'm off. Don't die here. You'll embarass me in front of the Lords."</div> <div class='s'>Gareth:"Eat a dick."</div> <p>You remembered you wanted to explore the camp, but you think back to Gareth's <<linkappend "wise words">>: <div class='s'>"Hoes ain't loyal"</div> <<linkappend "No, not those">>, but he does always say: <div class='s'>"A soldier's best friend is his weapon."</div> <</linkappend>><</linkappend>> Perhaps you ought to check your equipment and sharpen your sword. A bad piece of steel, or a splinter in your shield might be the end of your life.</p> ''//Check your Character Sheet. This is the only time you will be notified of a skill change//''. [[Get your sharpening stone out|Sharpen]] [[Go explore|Hill1]]

<center> <div class='cb'>$mcNick:"Oy you there!"</div> <img src="images/BB/misc/Baron1.webp" width=550 height = 380> <div class='cb'>$mcNick:"Why are you harassing the King's Men? Who told you to do that?!"</div> <img src="images/BB/misc/Scared.jpg" width=300 height = 300> <p>The man, who at first seemed resolute, now clutches his sword as comfort from the lord who's staring him down. </p> Man-at-arms:"N-n-nobody, m'lord!" <p>He holds up his hands to try to appear non-threatening.</p> <div class='cb'>$mcNick:"Then why are you holding the King's Army back? Are you a spy?"</div> Man-at-arms:"No no, I'm not, m'lord, I swear!" <div class='cb'>$mcNick:"I'm not so sure. What would a King's soldier have to gain from interfering with fellow King's soldier's business?"</div> Man-at-arms:"We was j-just... just having a bit of fun..." He says shyly. <div class='cb'>$mcNick:"If you don't get your sorry ass out of here and take your girlfriends with you, I'll have you all lashed like the SORRY CUNTS YOU ARE!!", you yell out as they start scurrying away to drive the point home.</div> Your militiaman:"Thank you Lord, you really scared those sissies straight. Let's hope the Holliks are just as easily routed." <<set $s to "D">> <<include increaseBy5>> ''//Check your Character Sheet. This is the only time you will be notified of a skill change//''. [[You continue exploring.|Hill1]] </center>

<div class='cb'>$mcNick:"You there lad!"</div> <img src="images/BB/misc/Baron1.webp" width=550 height = 380>\ The man now stands scared shitless, clutching his own sword as some sort of shield from the verbal lashing he clearly expects. It seems his lord is not a very merciful one. <img src="images/BB/misc/Scared.jpg" width=300 height = 300> <div class='cb'>$mcNick:"Who's your Lord?"</div> Man-at-arms:"Lord Wolner, sir." <div class='cb'>$mcNick:"What a coincidence. I was just up on <<link "Höll Gora">> <<script>> Dialog.setup("Explanation"); Dialog.wiki(Story.get("Gora").processText()); Dialog.open(); <</script>> <</link>>\ \ and reported to Lord Wolner that I've brought my men here to settle in and we're ready for war. Imagine his surprise if he were to find out there's men who aren't ready, and it's YOU who's at fault." You point a threatening finger to drive the point home.</div> \ \ \ Man-at-arms:"Sorry, sir. We won't do it again." <div class='cb'>$mcNick:"No, I trust you won't. In fact, my men have just arrived from the road, so I'm sure you will be happy to help setting up their camps and sharpen their weapons?"</div> Man-at-arms:"But...Bu-" <div class='cb'>$mcNick:"Good. Have a great day."</div> <p>This is a good result. Not only have your men (as well as other Lords' men) seen you standing up for those under you, thereby improving your reputation, but you also will have at least nominally better equipped soldiers under you. Every good commander knows that equipping your men will improve your chances in battle, even if it's not as good as training them.</p>\ \ <<set $s to "C">><<include increaseBy5>>\ <<set $s to "F">><<include increaseBy5>>\ \ ''//Check your Character Sheet. This is the only time you will be notified of a skill change//''. <center> [[You continue exploring.|Hill1]] \ \ \ \ \ \ \ \ \ </center>

<center> Gora(translated) - Hill, or mountain. You've found out this hill has been named after the Principality of Höll, which, as you suspected is indeed the first target of the King's crusade. </center>

<center>\ <img src="images/BB/misc/TentCity.webp" width=350 height = 250 align="center"> <p> The camp is much larger than you expected. From your position to as far as your eye can see ground, the land is covered in tents and fires. All around you are sounds of behaviour you would expect from a horde of peasants at war. Laughing, screaming, drinking and such. There's a fight breaking out in the distance, just a couple of tents away from that, there's a big dance converging around a man playing something in the middle, by the fire. In the center of the tent city, just below the hills where the nobles tents are, lie the most important sections. You remember having read and heard about how all war camps, particularly of a certain size attract all kinds of civilian accompaniment, but you never imagined it to be of such a size. The amount of hookers you see in the back end, just on the edge of the tent city is unbelievable. To think that they are only a part of the whole host of non-combatants makes your head hurt. The stink that must follow them wherever they go, and who knows how safe it even is... Well, I suppose that's one thing you have in common with them. Actually, that's something everyone in this camp has in common. Nobody here knows if they will see the sun rise tomorrow. Nobody. You still shake off the dread from your thoughts. You try to distract yourself with the sights some more. There are several marketplaces, though only one of them resembles the kind you would find in a more urban, settled environment. Most of them are just slightly more dense areas of the camp where soldiers trade things around with each other. Even in your desolate barony the traders and merchants have a better framework.</p>\ \ \ \ \ \ \ \ \ \ \ [[Go to the marketplace|Hill2]] </center>\

<center> <<set $s to "M">> <<include increaseBy10>> <<set $Shield to "Wood">>\ <p>You start off with the sword. Your longsword is your only weapon for close quarters. The only other things you have in your arsenal are shield and lance. If you ever get caught by surprise, nothing but your longsword will help you fight them off. This and the fact that the sword is something of a noble's weapon, have both made you stick to maintaining this weapon every day while on the road. You took about a week to get here, and every single day you oiled it, wiped it and when <<linkappend "needed">> (never) <</linkappend>> also sharpened it. You sharpen it just slightly, then move on to your shield. The thing which will quite literally guard your life, has a very noticeable gap in the seams, at the bottom of the shield. If an arrow were to strike here, or even a sword, it would almost certainly pass enough to slice or pierce something just behind it. Luckily you do have a <<linkappend "brigandine">> (a bunch of small steel plates riveted into cloth) <img src="images/BB/misc/Brigandine.webp" width=150 height = 250> <</linkappend>>\ \ bearing your house's symbol, so you wouldn't have been killed by it, but it's still something you should patch up. You get out a strip of wood, made more or less specifically for this purpose, place it up to the gap and hammer it together with the rest of the shield. A crude patchwork, but it's better now than it was a second ago. You think about instead going to the local blacksmith and getting a new one, but there's no reason to do so yet. You'll fight with this well enough. Next up, you check your armor, not your lance, since there's nothing that would ever get a noble like yourself to neglect your lance. The brigandine is in more or less pristine condition. Your helmet, a nasal helmet is your headwear of choice. It will rest on top of a chainmail, which will guard your neck, chin and everything below your eyes. The reason you chose this setup is because it offers you much more visibility. Seeing your enemy is always a plus, and you've practised enough that you know not to compromise that for yourself. You're too young to have been in the last war, so you must hope that practice has been enough of a substitute. <img src="images/BB/misc/Nasal.webp" width=200 height = 250> You take a little brisk walk, trying to get a grasp of the camp's layout before nightfall, you want to get a full night's sleep, because you're certain tomorrow will be marching time. You walk swiftly and yet... [[Quickly enough, the sun sets|HillNight]]\ so you decide to move back to your camp to sleep.</p> </center>

<center> <img src="images/BB/misc/Smith.webp" width=350 height = 250 align="center"> <p>Once again, you're surprised by this camp's size and industrial capacity, it's got both a weaponsmith and an armorsmith. Your barony hasn't had a single weapon or armorsmith since your grandfather's time. This camp has both... How do they even carry a whole furnace around with them? You think of asking some of the men around about that, as bizarre as that may be, but then you see a couple of them with fairly light clothes, slightly wet and coming back with smiles on their faces. You stink like shit, having been on the road for 2 miserable days, and not washing even once during that period. Are you about to find a bath next? This camp already has a bunch of smiths, and an entire mini-city following after it, why not also an entire bath made out of marble? You move towards the hill they're coming from and move over it and find that to your surprise, it's not a bath, but a stream of water.</p> \ \ \ \ \ \ [[Go to the stream|HillStream]] </center>

<p> Coming up to it, you find the water to be crystal clear. There isn't a single blemish to this stream whatsoever. It's the perfect place to bath. A beautiful place to bath, but it is a bit crowded, so you decide to look for a secluded place. After all, a noble shouldn't be seen naked by the commoners. Going downstream, you get in your own head and only realize you've moved a couple hundred meters from the camp, and have stumbled into a forested little area. The camp is situated on a hill and the plains around it. You hadn't even seen these woods on your approach. You really ought to pay attention to your environs more, this would be an easy place to get attacked from.</p> <img src="images/BB/misc/Stream.webp" width=350 height = 250 align="left"> <center><p>Having found the secluded place you were looking for, you step into the forest a bit further, come upon some rocks when you hear something...</p> <<linkappend "A giggling noise!">> <video src="images/BB/misc/Giggle.webm" height=_height width=_width muted loop autoplay controls> Something's Wrong, dumbass. </video> <p> It's two women, whom you can only assume are prostitutes, since there aren't any womenfolk hanging around a war camp that aren't, they're playing around in the water gossiping. They spot you and anger flashes in their eyes momentarily, but spotting your noble attire, they change their minds about yelling at you. Instead their demeanor changes to a tense and somewhat scared one. After all, many nobles before have gotten away with all kinds of tortures comitted against whores, and they are isolated from the rest here, uncertain of their future at the moment. One of them, clearly used to being around nobles, hangs her head down, which the other one follows, and asks you in what you are certain is fake affection...</p> <div class='sl'>Whore:"Good day m'lord, would you like to bathe here?"</div> <p>You see no reason to refuse, but decide against sticking it in these women. Your first time should not happen like this.</p> <div class='cb'>$mcNick:"Sure. You do not have to fear anything. I am only here to clean myself."</div> <p>At this, you see them visibly relax, tension leaving their backs and their hands quickly move to hug each other in total defense, after their silent acknowledgement of how much danger they might've just been in. You strip off and move into the water, it's freezing and clear nature allowing you to feel both cold from the water, and hot from the sight of these two women at the same time. You decide against allowing yourself more temptation, and dip entirely into the water, quickly regretting it and coming out with a panicked look in your eye. The women, clearly grateful for the mercy you have shown them, move in and rub the dirt away from your youthful and muscular body.</p> <div class='sl'>Whore:"Rough riding, m'lord? Allow us to help... please."</div> <p>You make no move to respond, but do not push them away either. As the less experienced whore moves in and rubs your chest from dirt, the more experienced one decides you're not comfy enough and lays you down on a boulder, the type of natural occurence most known for it's comfort. She then gets on top of you and gives you a beautiful view of her pert ass, as you start to feel their wet hands start to alternate in milking your dick. </p> <video src="images/BB/misc/HJ.webm" height=_height width=_width muted loop autoplay controls> Something's Wrong, dumbass. </video> <video src="images/BB/misc/Montage.webm" height=_height width=_width muted loop autoplay> Something's Wrong, dumbass. </video> <p>This goes on a while as you imagine the two of them, loving and caressing each other through this hard and rough time, which you know is going to be filled with death. The sight of these two gentle, soft beauties may as well be Angelic Grace itself descending down to the Earth, relieving you of your stress temporarily. <video src="images/BB/misc/Coom.webm" height=_height width=_width muted loop autoplay> Something's Wrong, dumbass. </video> \ And finally you cum. The whores promptly leave, clearly feeling like they've done their duty, and leave you to shower the Sin away. You do so as quickly as possible, and dress.</p> [[Go back to your tent|HillNight]] <</linkappend>></center> \ \ \ \ \ \ \ \ \ \ \ \ \ \ \ \

<p>\ First thing you notice even before you enter your tent is that Gareth is not here. You find a note outside on the flap of your tent and it reads:</p> <i><p class='s'>\ "Lord $mcNick, I was about to put up my tent after yours, but found it to be ripped up beyond use, I've headed down to purchase a new one, If I've not returned yet, do not worry, Signed, Gareth."</p> </i> \ \ <p>Looking around, you think of your safety for a second, but realize there's no need for that. After all, there's guards in every crossing and around almost every tent in the Nobles' quarter of the camp. The Wojewoda and the King have placed their own men all around, guaranteeing the safety of their fellows, but also putting a large amount of influence in the hands of these two men... Thinking about this from the entrance to your tent, you spot a young man, probably even younger than you, walking towards the tent next to yours. He waves to you and steps up to introduce himself:</p>\ <div class='p'>Unknown Noble:"Hullo there,mate. I'm Krzystoff. Krzystoff of Corliss." He reaches out to shake your hand.</div> <<set $nameKr to "Krzystoff">>\ <<set $realmKr to "Korlis">>\ <<set $nickKr to "Hrabia Korlis">><center> <img src="images/BB/misc/Kor.webp" width=250 height = 120></center> <p>Krzystoff of Korlis? That's the Wojewoda's son shaking your hand. The second most powerful man in the Kingdom, maybe even the most powerful, and his only son is shaking hands with possibly the least powerful noble in the Kingdom? You certainly shouldn't forget your gentlemanly manners right now...</p> <div class='cb'>$mcNick:"Lord $mcTitle $mcName $mcRealm of House Czarny." You shake his hand firmly, as one should.</div> <div class='p'>Lord Korlis:"Nice to meet you.Oh, I know of you! Your barony is just on the border beyond my father's Wojewodship. I suppose you're looking to improve your standing in this venture?"</div> <div class='cb'>$mcNick:"Indeed I am, though it is my father's barony. In fact, I must. As you know, this raid that has been launched against our Kingdom, while it didn't physically reach\ our lands, it severed the connection we had to the rest of the Kingdom. Our estate was already in a poor state, and this has unfortunately damaged it severely."</div> <div class='p'>Lord Korlis:"Well I have faith in you, my friend. Our Kingdom is glorious and we will destroy these treacherous Holliks, and when we do that, we will bring down the Vizier as well.\ My father has won many battles and I'm certain he will lead us to victory again.<i> Then your barony shall flourish. Mark my words</i>"</div> <div class='cb'>$mcNick:"I shall hope to live to see the day."</div> <p>As you consider his words, you take care to focus on the fact that he seems to be at least 8 years your junior. He would sound insane if you didn't focus on that.\ He is young, and has been raised in a glorious House, marked with very important\ and recent victories. Even though neither of you have ever seen true combat, you are certain you have seen more struggle than he. He's about to say something, when he looks to his left, your right and you turn to follow his gaze. A little bit away, you notice a large amount of horses being fed, brushed and groomed when one of the horsemen\ yells out:</p>"We're leaving tomorrow, make sure all the horses are tended to." <div class='p'>Lord Korlis:"It seems tomorrow begins the advance, friend. We ought to get some sleep. Sweet dreams."</div> <div class='cb'>$mcNick:"Same to you, too." And with that, he leaves.</div> \ \ \ \ \ \ \<p>\ So tomorrow brings you one day closer to death. Though you might be afraid, you fight yourself to not let that fear overtake you and make you sob in the middle of the camp.\ With that thought, you move inside the tent, where you feel at least nominally safer and lay down on your sleeping cot, trying to rationalize this fleshcrawling fear that has followed you since you left $mcRealm. After a little tossing and turning, exhaustion overpowers you and you fall deeply into...\ [[Sleep|Sleep]]</p>

<center><body class='container'> <p>You dream of a time when you were just a kid, when you had fallen in love with a girl for the first time.</p> \ \ <p>Ever since you learned to read as a kid, which your teachers only managed to convince you of doing after they promised they would let Gareth study with you, and you two promised to pay attention in class, you would always run around and try to find whatever merchant, traveller or even mercenary would come across the tiny little town that constituted your father's barony. You would ask them for stories, letters and descriptions of places you've never heard about, and they would often be accomodated by your father as recompense. You wonder if it is this attitude towards finances that drove your father's barony even further into poverty than it had been before him. Not only did this move drive travellers away from the Inn - the Drinking Log, but it actively drained your finances feeding and sheltering these guests. Still, this did foster a reputation for your barony as a very welcoming and hospitable one, which did drive up trade to a certain degree. Regardless, back to the wanderers.</p> \ <p>Among these weary travellers was a man named Jannik. He was the only merchant ever to make visits to your barony for multiple years in succession. He had a wife, Helga, and a daughter Kaya, who all traveled together with their caravan guards. Kaya, you and Gareth would hang out whenever they were in town, and you all worried your parents as one merry trio of ne'er-do-wells. It was through various shenanigans that you grew closer to Kaya and even closer to Gareth. At a certain point in your late teenage years, you found out that being around Kaya makes you feel in ways that being around Gareth had never made you feel. Seeing how her brown hair hugs her head, the suntanned skin she had from travelling with her parents all the time, the small frame of her back and chest, gentle hands on your own, and most of all the 2 big new additions between the stomach and the collarbone, all woke up in you a new kind of appreciation for human beauty. It was a warm monday morning when you two had snuck out to a lonely little meadow for a couple of hours and you had the first <<linkappend "kiss of your life.">> <<set _src="images/BB"+_src>> <video src="images/BB/misc/kiss.webm" height=_height width=_width autoplay loop controls> Something's Wrong, dumbass. </video> <</linkappend>></p> <p>It was beautiful, her lips tasted like the most succulent fruit from the Almighty's garden, and the hair was standing on the back of your neck. You felt electricity rushing through your veins, butterflies flittering around your belly. Oh yeah.\ As you continue recalling and dreaming your first kiss, you feel a weirdly cold sensation on your lips. No, her lips weren't cold... </p> \ \ [[What the fuck?|GrabaBrush]] </body> </center>

<center> <p>You wake up on your back looking up at the ceiling of the tent. You notice it's leaking from one point near where the pole holds up the peak of the tent and water (hopefully water) has dripped down to your lips. You joke to yourself about whipping Gareth for ripping the tent. <img src="images/BB/misc/Leak.webp" width=400 height = 250></p> <p>Speaking of Gareth, that was a weird dream... You remember being confused for a couple of days why he wouldn't speak to you, thinking he was mad 'cause you two had gone out to the meadow without him. When you finally realized he also fancied her, as well as why he wouldn't get pissed off at you and yell, as you felt you would've done if the roles were reversed, that was the first time you finally understood the full weight of your position as a noble. He <b>couldn't</b> say anything. <img src="images/BB/misc/Father.webp" width=300 height = 510 align="right"> You are the Lord's son, and your father's, the Baron's son, while he is a peasant who only ever even learned to read because of Your Grace. This had been the realization which broke your spirit for a couple of months, as you matured from boy into man, ready to take on the injustices of this world, as was decreed by the Almighty. Gareth is your sergeant now, and Kaya is nowhere to be seen. You shall lay down your lives for this Kingdom, and be equal in death, if not in life. But until that day comes, Gareth will be protected by all the might you have, and you know he will protect you with all he has, too. With these sobering thoughts, and a pair of wet lips, you dress yourself in your brigandine, and step out; ready to join today's advance towards Höll.</p> <p>Stepping out, you notice the camp is still and silent. Well it's far from silent actually, but the sounds you hear are not those that should be present if it was about to go on the move. The horsemen aren't in the position you saw them in last night, but the rest of the camp is the same. How confusing... You walk around for a bit, finally spotting that cavalry group from last night. Their horses are in formation, some of them mounted, clearly ready to move out. There appear to be even more of them now than you saw last night. This is a veritable army of it's own assembled separately of the camp. Now that you're closer and the dayligth makes shit clearer, you see they're mostly light cavalry. Is this a scouting party? You come up to a man that looks to be in charge and ask... <img src="images/BB/misc/CavLine.webp" width=350 height = 200 align="center"></p> <div class='cb'>$mcNick:"You there, what is going on? When are we going on the march?"</div> Captain:"M'lord, I believe <b>you</b> aren't going on the march yet, if you've not been asked by Lord Wolner to join us. We're to move ahead of the rest of the army for now. I don't know when the camp is to move." <div class='cb'>$mcNick:"To scout?"</div> The captain looks around without moving his head much, then back at you: Captain:"Pardon?" <div class='cb'>$mcNick:"Are you going on a scouting mission?"</div> Captain:"I'm not sure, m'lord... I don't have the right to say it..." <div class='cb'>$mcNick:"Sure..."</div> You find his behaviour very suspicious, and confusing more than anything, but regardless you see he will not give you an answer so you let him off. <div class='cb'>$mcNick:"Very well, good luck and off with you."</div> Captain:"Of course, Lord. Thank you." <p>You walk off and find Gareth, quickly telling him of the weird circumstances. You order him to head off with the horsemen, to scout the goings on for you. Something smells fishy. He agrees and heads off, fastening his weapon while walking back to the tent. Either way, it seems today isn't the start of the march either. You don't expect such a large camp would start it's march at any point other than morning.\ The men would likely be drunk, tired and who knows what else which would make the move more difficult.\ No, now that you think, you suspect you will get a notice the night before you make the move to make starting the march more easy. Which means today is another free day. You think today would be a good day for some training<<if $Martial >0 >>, that is to augment some of the training you've done yesterday<</if>>. <span id="Martial"><<linkreplace "Train">><<remove "#Command">> <<if $Martial <15>><<set $s to "M">><<include increaseBy10>> You train through your exhaustion and manage to learn something new. <<else>> You realize you're too tired from the tussle with Gareth yesterday and move on, having only wasted your time on needless training.<</if>>\ <</linkreplace>></span>\ <span id="Command"><<linkreplace "Drill the men">><<remove "#Martial">> <<set $s to "C">><<include increaseBy10>> <<set $s to "F">><<include increaseBy5>> You move downhill and ask around for a sergeant to group up a band of men who want to learn to fight. All the men who come are scared militiamen, to whom you instill a measure of confidence through training, discipline and merciless drills. By the end you notice a rough looking formation being crystallized out of this band of armed peasants. Good enough, hopefully they're going to survive, but it's time to move on. Understanding their own mortality and the generosity of your training, the men look at you with grateful eyes. <</linkreplace>></span>\ \ \ \ \ \ \ \ [[Evening comes...|NoblesTalk]]</p> </center>

<center> <<set $mcTitley to "Barony">> <p>Soon enough, night falls onto the hill camp. The Wojewoda has sent out invitations to a kind of evening get-together of nobles to facilitate relations among the commanders of this army. After all, almost all the nobles of the Kingdom, and practically every single fighting noble in the Kingdom has gotten together at this spot. There is still the question of those who haven't arrived yet, almost three weeks now since the war has started, but regardless, they are few and far between. <img src="images/BB/misc/dancing.webp" width=250 height = 250 align="left"> As you approach the party centered around a large fire, you see nobles in regular attire all conversing with each other happily, beards being stroked while deep in thought, jokes and stories being countered with smiles and laughs, you see that the men in the distance have also largely decided to follow after their lords and make an evening party of their own. They dance and drink in much more rude and non-gentle ways than your side of the camp does. However, for all their lackings and limitations, they do have one thing that you do not, that is to say the whores dancing on their tables, the women of low morale, which you nobles are never to be seen around. Not that you believe there is a single lord around here older than you, and probably many of the ones younger than you, that has not at least dabbled in some whore's guts. </p> <<set $krTitle to "Hrabia">>\ <p>As you attempt to mingle with the rest of nobility, you quickly find out that most of them have no desire to speak with you. It doesn't even have much to do with your $mcTitley's poor standing, you just have no place here. Most of the nobility are already veterans, who view this party as a way to reunite with old friends, war buddies, brothers in arms and such. Everyone above a certain age here has already fractured themselves into groups, so you and the other young Nobles are left to converse with one another.</p>\ <<linkreplace "Continue">> <p>You take your place next to $nickKr, as you have found out is his title, which you are very glad to see he welcomes. As improper as it may be to see you two hanging about each other, you get the sense that he is just as much a lost puppy in this campaign as you are. Soon your mettle will be tested though. The advance can't be too far away, and the battles that shall accompany it, too, must be coming closer with every <h style="color:Black;background-color:white">''dreadful''</h> minute.</p> <div class='p'>$nickKr:"So... you nervous?"</div> <div class='cb'>$mcNick:"Hmmmm... a little."</div> <p>You try to fake it till you make it, so you pretend for a second that you're searching yourself for nervousness, that it isn't on the cusp of overtaking you every passing moment.</p> <div class='p'>$nickKr:"I'm nervous as fuck. $mcNick, my father told me tomorrow is the start of the advance. I'm focking terrified."</div> <p>Well that's just great, but also to be expected, the realm has dragged it's feet long enough. It does make sense, even though it terrifies you beyond the bone. You try to remember some wise words, whether by some of the many travellers you've spoken to, or even better your father, to conjure up some magic of soothing speech, but you realize you have to fight with every bit of your willpower just to keep your face from removing it's stoic, or deadpan mask, and breaking into tears, asking for your mommy and daddy. As stupid as it is, it seems to work. At least on the good $krTitle, it does.</p> <div class='p'>$nickKr:"I wish I could be as brave as you, $mcTitle, you seem so resolute." To which you just raise your eyebrows silently. $nickKr:"Oh man... I can't feel like this, I'm a Noble and a Knight... I shall try to find conviction in your resolution, $mcNick. To think that the only way to save your $mcTitley is to go to this war and succeed or die trying is filling me with otherworldly courage. That is our creed as Nobles, to face this World's plights and better it with our efforts or expire before we are able to do that. You are an ''exemplar'', Sir $mcRealm."</div> <p>Though you find those words flattering, extremely flattering in fact, you realize he is now doing what you have figured out a long time ago. Fake it till you make it. No amount of perceiving the plight with which you have been faced during this war, no amount of abstractions and philosophical contemplations is going to remove the ever approaching doom of this clash of steel, meat and blood that you are going to be involved in.</p> <p>You lay a hand on his shoulder, understanding fully what he is dealing with, with even less experience than you. In fact, about 8 years less... Luckily, the Wojewoda, his father approaches, as is to be expected. This meeting ''is'' after all supposed to get the attending nobles to familiarize themselves with each other.</p>\ <<linkappend "You gaze at him.">> <img src="images/BB/misc/Wojewoda.jpg" width=250 height = 350 align="center"> <p>The Wojewoda, an averagely tall, scarred, man in his fifties(?), has no fear marring his face or gait as he approaches the two of you.</p> <div class='woj'>The Wojewoda:"Good evening, son, good evening..."</div> <div class='cb'>$mcNick:"$mcNick."</div> <div class='woj'>The Wojewoda raises his eyebrows in what you assume to be recognition and smiles:"$mcNick, how are you two doing?"</div> <div class='cb'>$mcNick:"A little nervous, to be honest Wojewoda... I've never been to war. We could use some advice."</div> <div class='woj'>The Wojewoda:"Perfectly understandable, lads, war is no trifle. You ought to stick to the rest of the Lancers, keep your shield arm up, and don't take unnecessary risks" At this, he points to his eye," or this might happen to ya. But my advice over everything else you can possibly do, is to keep your head. In war and peace, never succumb to your primal nature, and always aim to do what makes sense. Keep your head calm, and you'll keep it on your shoulders."</div> <div class='woj'>The Wojewoda continues:"As for tomorrow or the day after or the coming days, I will tell you two a bit of a military secret, and you already know part of this, Krzystoff, but for a while now, we're probably gonna have an easy time fighting. After all, I'm leading the war effort. And the Holliks are gonna fall into a trap I've set up."</div> <div class='cb'>You decide to ask:"Is this what the horsemen are for? The ones that left..."</div> <img src="images/BB/misc/WojewodaS.webp" width=400 height = 250 align="center"> <div class='woj'>The Wojewoda gives you a sly smile before he leaves and says:"We shall see, son, we shall see."</div> <div class='p'>$nickKr:"I'm your son y..." he mutters, though you don't pay attention.</div> <p>You are lightyears away, thinking about what he could've done with only horsemen to trap the enemy. Plus they're light horsemen, so there's no expectation of them doing anything more than harassing or skirmishing\ with the enemy. You know that the enemy is largely concentrated to the south, at the crown city of Tomit, but to get there your army will need at least two days? Since Höll is an almost entirely mountainous region, it's acted as a natural buffer zone between your Kingdom and the Great Vizierlik. It would take you a long time to get anywhere, passing through such mountainous terrain. Hence, this army isn't the trap your enemies would be lead to by these horsemen. At least not long enough for them to not realize that they're being lead to a trap. </p> <p>You're confused, and the fact that you don't know anything about the military strategy is drawing your thoughts back to the realization that you will have to make sure you yourself are good enough to fend for yourself, and you have no confidence in that, and now you're starting to get scared again.</p> <</linkappend>>\ <</linkreplace>>\ \ \ \ \ \ \ \ \ \ \ <p>Fuck this party, the [[bed is better company.|Sleep2]]</p> </center>

<center> <p>Finishing your nightly prayer, you lay down on the cot and try to remember what you know of Lord Wolner. Lord Wolner is known as the Wojewoda, and for good reason. Since the civil war, which your grandfather chose the wrong side in, left your Kingdom far weaker than it had been before. Much of the lands to your $mcTitley's northwest and southwest was lost. In fact, that war is the reason your $mcTitley borders the Gellardi to the north. The lands to your south west, west of Höll, are the lands where the Wojewoda has made much of his reputation. The lands were lost in the civil war, and the Wojewoda's father had not had much success in reconquering them from the only part of his Duchy which had remained - the County of Korliss.</p> <p>After having lost those lands to the Vizierlik and some of their newly found client states, your Kingdom also lost some very valuable resources in the many mines of Kellistra. Until, that is, the Old Grand Duke (the Wojewoda's father) raised a son, trained him in the art of war, sent him off to as many conflicts in the Kingdom as he could, as well as a couple of his now late brothers. The story of his ascent is one that shall certainly stand the test of time. The slaughter of Stor was the first major victory in just above fifty years for the Kingdom. The armies of the Atman (ruler of the Atmanate) had all coalesced in the mountainous regions of northern $wRealm, foreign to their valley-ridden Atmanate. The Wojewoda used this knowledge to the best of his abilities, and gave them every opportunity to descend onto a plateau near the village Stor, a plateau which is surrounded by mountains reaching higher than the plateau. On top of that, he did something that the Atmanites never expected. He utilized mounted archers to get them into every high-rise around the Atmanite Army, and then told them to let loose.</p> <p>After two hours of constant pelting, while the Atmanites stood in place holding their shields up, the spearmen (who were holding the first line of defence) of Atman had all tired dropped their shields and either fled, or died. And then the regular cavalry was given the order which made this already incredibly bloody day be known throughout the Kingdom and the Atmanate in infamy. The charge downhill from two different sides of cavalry, heavy and light had cut down almost all the fighting men the Atmanate had in less than two and a half hours. Some say so many bodies had been piled on top of each other afterwards, that the plateau had been filled up and rose now above the high points around it. <img src="images/BB/misc/Stor.webp" width=350 height = 250 align="center"> And from this mountain of death, arose the Wojewoda. Known throughout the Kingdom as the Warleader (literally), and throughout our neighboring realms as the hellstorm which will be released upon them should they ever find themselves at odds with us. Soon after Stor, the Wojewoda lead a war campaign against the client states in the rest of $wRealm, and eventually even against Faiz itself, though it was much easier than against the Atmanates, since the majority of the people in $wRealm have always been Swiatlans. Since then, all of $wRealm stands united under one banner - the Wojewoda's. That puts you at between one and two decades of peace now, during which you obviously hadn't been warring anywhere. But one thing was certain, The Kingdom of Swiatla had returned to it's glory, and it had tasted blood. Perhaps this is what persuaded the Höll Principality to join the Faizis in this attack against your Kingdom. Even though Höll is defensible enough due to it's mountains, they are still a much smaller realm compared to yours, and even more so compared to the Great Faiz.</p> <p>While reminiscing, you don't even notice yourself fall asleep.\ \ \ \ [[Wake up dreamlessly.|Advance]]</p> </center>

<center> <img src="images/BB/misc/wetland.webp" width=250 height = 250 align="center"></center> <p><center>It's a cold morning, as the past two days have been, when you are told to form up with the rest of the Knights and move quickly forward.</center>\ <center><<linkappend "The enemy has been spotted.">> You have been carrying your equipment with you both today and yesterday, understanding that if you can walk them into an ambush, they can do the same. You've seen a couple of contingents of men be ordered to move ahead of the army throughout the advance's pauses so far, and remain unburdened with nervousness from these subtractions of your army's manpower, as you already know the plan, unlike the men under you and some of the other nobles. You quickly form on Knyaz Borva, a well-respected commander in his own right. You end up forming a wedge, you yourself coming into the front line, on the left wing. This formation is used to drive and breakthrough enemy lines, cut them into two. It looks vaguely like an arrowhead if you look at it from the top. <img src="images/BB/misc/Horn.webp" width=250 height = 250 align="center"> Steadily you march at the horn's signal, slowly moving your horses up into cantering speed. Quickly enough, this separates you from the main body of the army as you head into a forest, not dense enough to impede your cavalry's movements. As you keep cantering, you see to your right, $nickKr, his lance shaking and periodically clanking against his armored foot, then head, then back to foot. <p class='cb'>$mcNick:"$realmKr b..."</p>, but then you change your mind. He will get through this. His own father isn't going to just march his only child into death... you hope. Before you get a chance to reconsider, something else \ <<linkappend "draws your attention.">> You don't see anything remarkable ahead of you. Or around you. But you do hear something, almost right in front of you, slightly, to the left. Your formation canters forward, turning a bit leftward, which, as you get closer come to understand is the sound of fighting. Now that you're closer, you hear it, and even see something, just beyond the veil of trees in front of you, can't be more than a thousand paces away, you see masses of armored bodies fighting each other, you hear the clamor of steel, the armored feet on the ground, the sound of two groups clashing very clearly now. Borva yells out a clear order while holding up a hand:"''HAAALT''" You note his <h style="color:grey;background-color:black">commanding</h> voice. He takes out a little metal can, not at all unlike those metal canisters some people have begun to store food in. I mean, he is a bit on the big side, but he can't possibly b... He unfurls the thingamabob, it seems inside were more of the same metal cans, all attached to each other, but gradually smaller in size. He puts the smallest to his eye. You work out that this is some sort of spotting device. He does this for a while, in absolute silence. Some of the other nobles are a bit restless, all of them as inexperienced as you. The men around you are all young Nobles, probably assigned to this task so they would be "broken in", to become prepared for fighting, used to it, at least as much as one can get used to it. The Knyaz packs the ocular device up, stores it back into wherever he pulled it from, and turns slightly: <img src="images/BB/misc/CavSpeech.webp" width=450 height = 250 align="center"> <p style="color:white;background-color:Black">"''MEN'', IN FRONT OF US IS ONLY A LINE OF MARKSMEN, THE ENEMY IS ALREADY AMBUSHED AND DISORGANIZED! IT'S OUR DUTY TO CHARGE AT THESE SUCKERS, AVENGE THE FALLEN BORDERGUARDS, AND DESTROY THE HOLLIKS!"</p> To this, you hear a relatively forceful hurrah resounding from the men. <p style="color:white;background-color:Black">GRAB YER LANCES, SONS OF SWIATLA! FORM A WEDGE! ON ME! ON ME! ''CHARGE!!!''</p> To this, the entire contingent of about two to three hundred men rallies all the air in their lungs to sound a cacophony of battlecries as they charge towards enemy lines. You can't help but join in and scream death to your lungs. In mere moments, you realize you will be upon the enemy archers, completely untrained and unprepared to fight against cavalry, which means\ [[Death rides with you today.|AmbushSkirmish]] <</linkappend>> \ <</linkappend>></center> \ \ \ \ \

<center> <img src="images/BB/misc/Charge.webp" width=350 height = 250 align="center"> <p>As you ride out of the forest lines, you take note to observe your surroundings for a split second before the inevitable impact into the group of men in front of you. You note that the front line is lined with spearmen, to your left, you will be riding and charging parallel to their position. In front of you is a line of archers, perpendicular to your cavalry formation, behind them are two columns of swordsmen and another archer column way in the "back" (at least from your perspective). Since you're on the front line of the left wing of your wedge, you assume any movement you make will be at least somewhat followed by the men behind you, so you must be careful with your tactics today. </p>\ <p>You understand that they chose this formation most likely because of the dense narrow pathway inside of which they're fighting the enemy, the enemy you now realize are your fellow countrymen. The spearmen hold the front from forest line to forest line, and the columns of swordsmen are at their back, slightly apart from each other, so the portion of spearmen in the center can retreat and draw the enemy into fighting from three sides. The marksmen have been positioned on the corners of this fighting group to ensure better accuracy, or rather, less friendly fire. You don't notice any significant portion of cavalry from their side, which is to be expected, you suppose. Though there are a few more than a dozen horsemen, light horsemen it looks like, to the right of the far column of marksmen, way in front of you.</p> <i><u> Hint: In critical moments, such as this one, good performance might improve your skill or standing </u></i> <p>As you crash through the now panicking archers, you manage to drive through two of them, almost at the same time, and reach the line of blades from the swordsmen, you realize you've the opportunity to do three things, and you don't have time to consider them thoroughly:</p> <span id ="choice1">\ <<linkappend "Go Left ">> <<remove "#choice2">> <<remove "#choice3">> <<include "Spear">> <</linkappend>> </span>\ <span id ="choice2">\ <<linkappend "Go Straight">> <<remove "#choice1">> <<remove "#choice3">> <<include "Sword">> <</linkappend>> </span>\ <span id ="choice3">\ <<linkappend "Go Right">> <<remove "#choice1">> <<remove "#choice2">> <<include "Cut">> <</linkappend>> </span>\ \ \ \ \ \ \ \ </center>

<center> <p>That's it. Holy shit, that was scary.<<set $Morale++>> You can't believe you not only survived all that, but actually came out victorious. The Black bile which is now built up in your throat, scares you almost as much as the thought of this first battle scared you. You feel like you're choking, your throat parched, you feel as if some poisonous liquid replaced your saliva. You get your waterskin and chug it all down, as you hear from behind you:</p> <div class='z'>"''Boy!''"</div> <p>You turn in a panic, one hand at your belt, ready to unsheathe, when you realize it's only Lord Borva. Seems he's been talking to the nobles, seeing how everyone is adjusting. <div class='z'>Knyaz Borva:"What did you do, boy?"</div>, he says, inquisitively.</p> <p>You tell him of how you had\ <<if $AmbushC eq 1>>\ No success. You got to the commander, but he escaped. <p class='z'>Knyaz Borva:"Well still that's good, boy. You ought to pay attention to your enemy's head at all times. In the case of an army, that is the commander." Knyaz Borva:"Perhaps for next time, you should train and make sure nobody knows of your failure today. You don't wanna get a reputation as a continuous failure."</p> <<set $Fame to 1>>\ <</if>>\ \ <<if $AmbushC eq 2>>\ kept the commander busy. You got through to the enemy with a couple of dozen men. <p class='z'>Knyaz Borva:"Good work, boy. You ought to be careful. Commanders are often surrounded by the best of the best. We wouldn't wanna lose you."</p> <<set $Fame+=5>>\ <</if>>\ \ <<if $AmbushC eq 3>>\ broke through to the commander and defeated him. <p class='z'>Knyaz Borva:"Splendid work, lad. I'm sure you'll get a fine ransom for him" </p> You look at him surprised. Ransom?<p class='z'>\ Knyaz Borva:"That's right, no worries. I'll take care of the whole ransom process, since you probably don't have the proper mechanisms in place. I'll make sure you get the lion's share, though. We need good men, and we need to give them incentive for being good."</p> <<set $Fame+=5>>\ <<set $Command+=5>>\ <<set $Martial+=10>>\ <</if>></p>\ <p>You can't believe you impressed the Knyaz.<<if $AmbushC eq 3>> And you'll get a whole bunch of money too. Not like your $mcTitley doesn't need it.<</if>> That was terrifying. Disgusting black bile has built up in your throat instead of saliva, and you feel tired, now that the adrenaline has worn off. You move around a bit, unsure of what you're supposed to do, as the only thing you see from the rest of the Lancers is the same blind moving around. The Knyaz yells an order for everyone to steadily draw back to the main Army host. You join up in a rough 2-man line of Lancers. You spot what you think is $nickKr ahead of you, so you swap spots with his silent partner.</p> \ \ \ \ \ \ \ \ \ <p>You think for a second what to say, but you see him as hunched down as everyone else. Seems adrenaline is the only thing that kept all of you up. You decide to skip the pleasantries and utter:</p> <p class='cb'>$mcNick:"How are you doing, $nickKr?" </p> He just tilts his head to the left a bit to hear you. After a couple of seconds, he seems to have found the energy to respond. <p class='p'>$nickKr:"...Tired, I guess."</p> <p class='p'>$nickKr:"Wicked stuff that was, eh $mcNick?"</p> <p class='cb'>$mcNick:"Heheh, yeah. Feels weird to kill."</p> <p class='p'>$nickKr:"Feels right to me. Though my father ''is'' Wojewoda."</p> <p class='cb'>$mcNick:"I just can't believe you were nervous earlier." You continue to keep up appearances.</p> <p class='p'>$nickKr:"Well, we can't all be fearless Death-dealers like yourself, $mcNick."</p> <p>He seems to have grown a ''lot'' more confident than you. You continue shooting the shit until you're back. The moment you get done with all you need to do, like grooming your horse, checking and cleaning your equipment, replacing what you need, you get to your tent which has generously been set up for you by the men who didn't get to fight gloriously. You drop down on the cot and fall asleep easily, letting your exhaustion overtake you.</p> [[Rest for the night|SleepAfterAmbush]] </center> \ \ \ \ \ \ \ \ \ \ \ \ \ \ \ \ \ \ \ \

<center> <p>You have no fear as you dream, dream about a flying horse, your burning lance piercing through rows of enemies for the Almighty. Your arm is Victory, and your mount is Freedom. The lands under you are filled to the brim with people wearing smiles as they work the fields, produce the most beautiful works of art, in weaponry and decoration. The skies themselves seem to shine with exuberance as they illuminate your realm, only periodically tearing up from the joy at your success, thereby wetting the lands and filling it with new life.</p> <<set $Morale++>> <p>You wake up slightly startled. What the fuck was that dream? You suppose it makes sense, considering what happened yesterday. A new vigour fills your mind, you find yourself eager to reach new heights,\ to fight for your $mcTitley and it's future.</p> \ \ \ \ \ \ \ <p>The fight yesterday was short and impactful. The army of Höll has been decimated, and you're sure that Tomit will be undermanned severely. You heard some men yesterday note that about a third of the Höll army has been captured in your ambush.<<if $AmbushC > 1>> And Hrabia Moroz (as you've learned is his name). <</if>> You find their tactical blunder to be perplexing, to say the least. They noticed a small army approaching from the\ north east, with some cavalry attached to it, and they send only footmen? Why did they think this to be a good idea? You suppose Swiatla ''is'' known to be a heavy cavalry focused realm, so them sending a lot of\ spearmen makes sense, but ''no'' horsemen? Perhaps Höll being a mostly mountainous region is the reason for that... Yeah, yeah that makes sense. The Vizierlik is also largely mountainous, at least in it's southern\ regions, where some of it's older lands lay. The valleys it conquered are exactly that, conquered, not the region it's dominant nation originates from.</p> <p>On top of that, Höll is probably too poor to equip very good and very large amounts of cavalry, and considering they've decided that ''you'' are the easier target rather than Faiz,\ equipping more spearmen rather than horsemen makes sense. Heh, what a bunch of idiots, that means they just lost a whole bunch of their best men. <<if $AmbushC > 1>> And a fairly important Commander and Noble. <</if>> Your contemplations eventually end, and you get back to the Army's march.</p> [[Onwards|BeforeSiege]] </center>

<center> <video src="images/BB/misc/march.webm" autoplay loop> Something's Wrong, dumbass. </video>\ <p>The army march has slowed down significantly. You'd easily made it just about near Tomit in 4 days of marching (excluding the time you spent camped on the Gora). It has taken you three additional days to get to Tomit now that \ the main Host has both the prisoners to deal with, as well as the army which had baited the former prisoners into the ambush which made them such. You've since talked to Gareth among the busybody sergeants of the army camp. He told you of how he was tasked with joining the light cavalry which was sent to accompany the baiting army. Before your Lance units arrived, they thought they were done for. The tiny army which had been used as bait was deliberately formed to be clearly smaller and weaker than the Hollik army. They had a honorable spearwall, through which Gareth and the other Horsemen couldn't break through, for obvious reasons, they couldn't flank because of the forest, and the Swiatlan infantry was clearly losing by the time you arrived. He mentioned a lot of hurrahs and yelling having taken place at your timely arrival, but you don't remember hearing anything, almost like you were in different battles altogether. Must've been so-called tunnel vision. You almost don't even remember the friendlies, which had been to your left, during the initial impact. If someone asked you to name a single color on any one of those friendlies, you probably couldn't conjure up an image of it.</p> \ \ \ \ \ \ \ <p><img src="images/BB/misc/Tomit.webp" width=350 height = 250 align="right"> You contemplate these peculiarities for a while, lost in thought so much you don't even notice approaching the city. This bastion of elegance, wealth and the warrior spirit of mountainous Höll. The attack on Swiatla happened just as summer was ending and seeing Tomit surrounded in this thick fog, hugging it almost as if to protect it from the wrath which you, the Swiatlans, are coming to unleash on it's streets. You don't expect the Holliks to surrender, even with the destruction which you have wrought upon their army thus far. The only way for them to hope for some kind of victory against you in the coming siege is if they were to have many more troops in the city than remained after the Ambush. Luckily, Faiz was there to provide said troops. You don't look forward to the next few months. If you are to stay here, outside, waiting for the city to starve during this siege, while you know that is going to have high chances of success, you also note that it's likely going to be a horribly cold time, for you. Autumn has just started and it's already freezing.<<if $AmbushC > 0>> Luckily, Knyaz Borva commended you for your actions in capturing Commander Moroz and you've received a new rank:Lieutenant.<<set $rank to "Lieutenant">><</if>></p> [[Approach the city|SiegeEnsues]] </center>

<center> <p>You approach the city, and set up camp, far enough away for enemy marksmen to be useless against you. You walk around after setting up your own tent, having been too impatient to wait for Gareth to do it for you. Tired of the travel and camp-setting, you decide to get a drink and ask Gareth to go find some alcohol for the two of you to nurse on while having a chat.</p> <p class='s'>Gareth visibly gets excited, but quickly remembers his place and says:"Of course, my Lord." With a big smile.</p> <p> You wait for a couple of minutes, freeing one of your hands from your gloves, and putting it forward, away from your body's heat. It's getting colder and colder. You put your glove back on. Gareth returns with an entire barrel. That is more than you asked him for. Nevermind.</p> <img src="images/BB/misc/Sitting.jpeg" width=300 height = 250 align="left"> The two of you head up to the part of the hill, where your tent is at, sit down next to each other and observe the camp for a while. <p class='s'>Gareth:"So what's next?"</p> You think for a second, then say... <p class='cb'>$mcNick:"A siege, it looks like. I don't see any reason to rush at the city.<<if $rank eq "Lieutenant">> Plus I heard it from Borva.<</if>>"</p> <p class='s'>Gareth:"THE Borva? What, he talks to you?" Gareth mocks.</p> <p class='cb'>$mcNick:"We're best friends now. See what happened, cause you left for a couple of days?"</p> <p class='s'>Gareth:"Motherfucker took my place."</p> <p class='cb'>$mcNick:"Yeah... but really, we ain't all that great. Anyway, pay attention to that moat, we ain't rushing through that. I didn't see what the castle is like from the other sides, but this is gonna be a tough piece of work."</p> <p class='s'>Gareth:"Yeah... A siege it is then. So does this mean I'm gonna be sleeping here again?"</p> <p class='cb'>You burst out laughing:"What, did you miss me, you fag?"</p> <p class='s'>Gareth:"Well no... just the lads down there are always loud, and you have to sleep outside, sometimes, and it's getting real cold."</p> <p class='cb'>$mcNick:"Yeah, you're gonna sleep up here. Though if you don't behave, I'm gonna send you down again."</p> <p class='s'>Gareth:"Hah, then who's gonna oil your sword?"</p> <p class='cb'>$mcNick:"Oil my sword? You really ''are'' learning some gay shit down there?"</p> <p class='s'>Gareth's turn to laugh:"Hahahahaha, good one, mate... good one."</p> <p class='cb'>$mcNick:"Alright, I'm a tad bit cold so let's get to work a bit. Sitting around won't help."</p> <<if $rank eq "Lieutenant">>[[Siege Ensues|SiegeA]] <<else>>[[Siege Ensues|SiegeB]]<</if>> \ \ \ \ \ \ \ \ </center>

<center> <<set $GarethRe to 0>> <p>A month and a half later, your siege, now in the middle of winter, places high importance on finally ending the wait-around and taking the city. Your personal feelings on the matter are entirely founded on the fact of the biting cold which has ruined your everyday experience for the last few weeks, the cold which has only really increased in potency, seeing as how you've graduated from the autumn winds and chill to the blanket of frost which has consumed all around you. <<if $gold > 40 >>\<<set $gold-=30>> You've had trouble with the cold for a while, and decided to invest some money into your survival. You've bought a new tent, some firewood, and new clothes. You've also replaced the holes in your armor, brigandine and shield, which have degraded during your days spent in and with these items. <<else>> You've had trouble with the cold for quite a while now, and today you feel the frostbite more than ever, your fingers are cold, too cold to move, your skin dares not to move, for fear of letting the cold in even further, your very bones feel chilled and you've even earned yourself a cut on the cheek from the frost-ridden winds wailing daily. If only you had the reserves to improve your situation, but unfortunately you don't and so your body suffers. <<set $Martial-->> <</if>><<set $KatKiss to 0>></p> <<if $lkrel>=5>><<include "KatSiege">> <<else>> [[Take a walk|WojProp]]<</if>> \ \ \ \ \ \ \ \ </center> \ \ \ \ \ \ \ \ \ \ \

<center><p><img src="images/BB/misc/Battle.webp" align="center"> The order comes, yet you are calm, and grateful for it. You're in formation, along with the rest of the Nobles. Your task today will likely be a minimal one, you now realize. The army defending this city is smaller and weaker, having been decimated by both the Ambush a while ago, and certainly the siege and it's effects. They haven't had any new food or timber to defend themselves from starvation or the cold. On top of that, the Faiz garrison which has reinforced the army of Höll inside the city is probably an unwelcome one, and any food they took up was probably seen as another injustice committed against the people of Höll. All that said, the moment the bridge is crossed, you will likely get an early and easy victory, possibly without ever unsheathing your own weapon.</p> <p>During your contemplations, the Militiamen and other peasant-warriors have broken through, and you watch as this compressed mass of men walk along the bridge like one, giant body made of many smaller ones. That was much quicker than expected. The Meatball, which is what you call the mess of bodies, is quickly depleting on the bridge and gradually spilling over into the city. You hear an order come from the Wojewoda himself:"Mount up!", and realize you're going to do something much worse to the defenders than you thought. Now that the Meatball has left the bridge relatively empty, your mounts are going to be able to cross much more easily, and you will have all the momentum needed to slaughter the defenders. Your formation scatters, as everyone goes to their horses, having only been prepared for an infantry assault. You mount up, hearing someone shout that the order is to enter the city as quick as possible, no waiting for formation. You have no time to get your Lances, not that they would be of much use, anyway. They're best used in open quarters, without obstacles surrounding you to mess up any potential charges. You will find no such open field inside this city.</p> <p>You notice <h class='p'>$nickKr</h> just behind you as you head into the city, and realize he's probably aware of your task, and has no desire to make it harder on you. You head forward, having caught up to the Meatball. The Meatball is still in formation and is fighting another Meatball on the side opposing you, moving forward. The enemy Meatball is much smaller, which you can see from your slightly better vantage point, on top of a horse. The enemy Meatball moves backwards further and further, quickly losing ground to yours. More quickly than it is ''actually'' losing it. You hear behind you a great crash and think to look back, but decide not to leave yourself vulnerable. You'll count on <h class='p'>$nickKr</h> at least, as well as whoever else is back there to keep you safe. That is the meaning of brothers-in-arms after all.</p> <h class='p'>$nickKr:"$mcNick!"</h> You hear from behind. <p>You turn and see about two dozen Nobles and cavalry in the city and look over the bridge at the approach to the city, to see the men over there, stopped. Why have they not crossed?</p> <h class='p'>$nickKr:"It's broken. It's a trap!"</h><p> He says and you approach the broken walls to look a bit better. It seems the bridge has been destroyed, leaving you, the few dozen Cavalrymen and your giant Meatball trapped in the city. <<set $TomitSplit to 0>><<set $TomitMen to 50>> You turn around, about to give the Meatball an order, when you notice they've advanced even further, being now in the middle of what looks to be a square. You gather your cavalrymen with a twirl of your sword and order a canter forwards. You are about halfway to the Meatball when the air and ground reverberate with thunderous tremors, and your Meatball loses a bunch of mass on it's sides. You continue onwards, afraid of panicking. You advance only slightly forward and witness another repeat of thunder, followed by your Meatball losing more men. What the ''fuck'' is going on? You keep advancing, now speeding up a bit, and notice the streets to the left and right of your Meatball are occupied by the one strength the Great Vizierlik has, which is units armed with small equivalents of the cannons you used to destroy the walls of this city. They are muskets, full of gunpowder, propelling small lead balls at this very easy to hit, or rather hard to miss, mass of meat, the only thing keeping your attack and presence in this city alive.</p> <p>To the left is about two dozen men, in two lines of a dozen, protected by militia who have practically nothing but pikes, and to the right you see even more of the same, except it's heavily armed men with Greatswords. Clearly veterans.</p> <<if $AmbuchC < 0 >><<linkappend "Go left">> No, you learned your mistakes.<</linkappend>><</if>> [[Go Right|GSwords]] <<if $Command > 1>>[[Split your troops to accomplish more|GSwords][$TomitSplit to 1]]<</if>> \ \ \ \ \ \ \ \ \ \ </center>

<center> Thanks for playing The Black Baron. This is a game made by [[https://www.patreon.com/ColossalProjectProductions<-Colossal PP on Patreon,]] [[https://www.subscribestar.com/colossalprojectproductions<-Subscribestar,]] [[https://ko-fi.com/colossalprojectproductions<-Ko-Fi]] If you liked this game, you have 3 options of supporting it's development: <div style="color:#ff8800"><h1>1) Financially</h1> Namely on the Link(s) above and on the sidebar. *Early access 7 days for middle tier *Early access 3 days for lowest tier *Updates, additions, and gameplay mechanics as they're made for the highest, limited tier (playtesters) </div> <div style="color:#0088ff"> <h1>2) Spreading the word</h1> Sharing the game, your thoughts on it, and telling others about it. *Reddit, Discords, Porn game sites, or even non-porn game sites. </div> <div style="color:#88ff00"> <h1>3) Sharing Feedback</h1> *Providing Feedback to us on [[https://www.reddit.com/r/BlackBaron/<-Reddit]] or one of the other platforms linked above. </div> <h2>Have a Great Day.</h2> \ \ \ \ \ \ \ </center>

<<linkappend "Train>> Train self <<set $Martial++>> <</linkappend>>

<span id ="choice1"> <<linkappend $choice1>> <<remove "#choice2">> $sChoice1 <</linkappend>> </span> <span id ="choice2"> <<linkappend $choice2>> <<remove "#choice1">> $sChoice2 <</linkappend>> </span>

<span id ="choice1"> <<linkappend $choice1>> <<remove "#choice2">> <<remove "#choice3">> $sChoice1 <</linkappend>> </span> <span id ="choice2"> <<linkappend $choice2>> <<remove "#choice1">> <<remove "#choice3">> $sChoice2 <</linkappend>> </span> <span id ="choice3"> <<linkappend $choice3>> <<remove "#choice1">> <<remove "#choice2">> $sChoice3 <</linkappend>> </span>

<center> \ \ \ \ \ \ <p>Last night, before you left the party scared to death, you remember the announcement that today would be the start of the advance. The dreaded advance towards battle, which had chilled your bones, has finally come. You've no friends here, except maybe $nickKr, your men from $mcRealm are somewhere among the rabble, Gareth is gone with them as well... you're terrified to the bone, alone and far from home. Nothing you do can make you feel better, so you try to distract yourself with the preparations. You put your armor on, groom your horse for a bit, dunk your head in some cold water, and by the time you're done you're just as nervous, but at least some time has passed, you're more awake, more capable of suppressing your fear, hence more in control of yourself. You find out that, due to not having your personal sergeant, the King has employed a bunch of carriages to carry the chests of the supplies of yourself and the rest of the nobility. Convenient. You stuff your chest with items your horse would otherwise carry that you don't need with you at all times, hand it to a lad who then stacks it among the other crates in one of the carriages.</p> <img src="images/BB/misc/Convoy.webp" width=350 height = 300 align="left">\ \ <p>On the move, you speak with the other nobles, one of whom immediately susses out your nervous nature. A big gentleman, long hair to his shoulders, and a big bushy beard grace his head. He's been watching you for a little while now, like a hawk stalking it's prey. He hesitates for a further couple of seconds, but finally decides to at least attempt to ease your troubles. Approaching closer with his horse, he clears his throat rather strongly.\ \ <p class='z'>Lord Borva:"No worries, lad. Wolner's gonna fuck them up. Take my word, as Knyaz of Rathina."</p>\ \ Oh Lord <i>Almighty</i>, how many powerful men are gonna just casually talk to you as if you're someone important. <p class='z'>The Knyaz of Rathina</p>? The Kingdom of Swiatla, which is a union of House Wist and <p class='z'>House Borva</p>, being Swiatlan and Rathine respectively. You're talking to the House head of the dynasty that ruled over <p class='z'>the Kingdom of Rathina</p> until recently, to one of the King's most important relatives? Your head goes light for a second, and you mutter out a weak thank you as you notice Borva already launching into conversation.</p> <p class='z'>Knyaz Borva:"When my father allowed his sister to marry the Krol, and pledged allegiance to the House, he did it to stop the civil war, lad. I don't know what you lived through, I presume you're too young to have felt the effects of that... Although I suppose we all feel it's effects in a sense, like that little $mcTitley to the north of here."</p> <p class='z'>Knyaz Borva:"What I'm trying to say is, war IS hell, and you're right to fear it. But it's also our creed. If we don't wreck the Holliks now, and then the Vizierlik, the people we know and love are going to be that much weaker against the enemy in the future. We must be united. That's why I'm here, and I've got no fuckin' reason to be here. Rathina is relatively far and away to the East, Swiatlans aren't even my people, or our people altogether. But we do have a lot of things in common, the Almighty being one of them, though you weirdos worship in a strange way. If I'm not going to fight for this Kingdom, and it's people, then who is? Who is, son?"</p> <p>Through this jumbled up sentiment he's trying to share, you think you get the gist. Your sacrifice to this war, as well as his family's sacrifice for the safety of the entire Kingdom and all of it's peoples, are in line with the Holy Script, even if we worship it in different ways. If you go to battle and come away unscathed, things are fine and you've protected your people, hopefully even enriched your $mcTitley. And if you go to battle and die, then you've taken on the injustices of this world as well as you possibly could've, and are to join the Saints and the Heavens.<<if $Piety eq 0>><<set $Piety+=5>> It's a basic principle, but one you needed reminding of, it seems. <</if>></p> <div class='cb'>Filled with a new resolve, you say with a steady voice:"I will fight, Lord Borva. I have no choice."</div> <p class='z'>Knyaz Borva:"Hehehehe, that's good. Though, you could choose to run away, I've seen it happen."</p> <div class='cb'>$mcNick:"Then my father's $mcTitley would be ruined for certain."</div> <p class='z'>Knyaz Borva:"Which one is that? Oh, are you from $mcRealm? Hah, then you really have no choice. Well, to victory or death for you it is then."</p> <p><<if $Piety < 2 >><<set $Morale++>> You ride on, resolute. Afraid of what happens to your $mcTitley if you fail, perhaps, because worrying for others is better than for yourself, as you've just been reminded. But regardless, you're back to your stoic self, and that feels surprisingly relieving. <<else>><<set $Morale to 0>> You realize that your plight is exactly that which is described in the Holy Script. So you lift your head up towards the Heavens, and ride on, calmly, stoically and ready for the unjust burdens of this world to be thrown at you and find themselves handled not with rage, but with loving care.<</if>></p>\ <p class='z'>Knyaz Borva:"By the way, the first battle will be an easy one, that I can promise you."</p> <div class='cb'>$mcNick:"How do you know?"</div> <p class='z'>Knyaz Borva:"Some horsemen left yesterday, to meet up with the nobles who haven't arrived yet. And their levies, that is. They are going to approach Tomit from the north east and raid and fight for a bit. ''BUT'', they will never get to Tomit. They're only going to do all of this to trick the Holliks into thinking that's the entire army, and the Kingdom is unprepared for a major war. We'll see if they take the bait."</p> <p>So that's why they left before you. That's why the nobles have been "dragging their feet" coming to the camp. All of it makes sense now. And even though Borva hasn't told you the entire plan, you can already piece it together. Your army, which is without a doubt massive enough to take even the Vizierlik's army in a fair fight, is going to move south towards Tomit for about two days. The Baiting Army, approaching quickly, from their northeast, will bait them out from the city and it's fortifications and by the time you're around the city, whatever pursuing force they end up sending, it will be trapped between the Bait Army and this war group, which is practically all the King's Men. At least all the fighting ones. You still don't know what this is going to look like, you know nothing of the battle that shall come, but at least now you see the full intelligence of the Wojewoda at display here. It will be another slaughter. More importantly, it will be an easy first fight for you. Phew.</p> [[A couple of days later...|SlyAmbush]] </center>

<<set $Command-=5>><<set $Fame-=5>><<set $Morale-=5>> <img src="images/BB/misc/SpearWall.webp" width=350 height = 250 align="center"> <p>The moment you turn to the left and realize what you've done, you regret it. The one thing that every single noble knows, the one thing every single cavalry man knows, the one thing that every spearman knows, is that spears pierce horses, spears pierce horsemen. You cut through more marksmen, and some of the swordsmen as well, but the moment you reach the wall of spears which has already formed, the completely expected thing happens. You get a torn up brigandine, the coat of protection your mount has also gets torn up, you get banged up like a cunt, and you finally come out on the other side. Scathed, but alive, hopefully. If you had gone into this kind of charge immediately upon coming out of the forest lines, perhaps you could've had much more success, but since the enemy heard you before you charged out of the woods, the spearmen (who seem to be well trained) had ample opportunity to instruct their second line to raise a shieldwall and thereby prevent you from charging at them effectively. Turning your head, you notice a couple of others followed you, and one noble has even been stuck among the spearmen, where he is pierced and cut down promptly, for his foolish trust in you. Having learned from your mistakes, you turn widely and avoid the spears of both friendly and enemy troops. Yet, by the time you reach the Lancers again, the battle has mostly [[concluded.|FirstBattleS]]</p>

<<set $AmbushC to 0>> <p>The men in front of you panic slightly, but still try to injure you and your fellow Lancers, futile as that may be. You look ahead of you, as you continue breaking through, paying attention not to slow down and stop in between the columns of swords. You see in the distance, among those horsemen, someone you assume to be in charge. Looks armored enough to assume that is the case. Plus his horse is protected by armor too, so it's definitely someone important. You glance behind you and see that, though the main body of your cavalry formation seems to have broken off, or rather you have broken off from them by not going to the right, there is a sizable contingent of about two dozen who followed you, whether by accident or on purpose. You might be able to reach the enemy commander with your fellow Lancers.<<if $Command > 0>> In fact, you're certain you could reach them, though who knows what may happen once you get there.<</if>></p> \ <span id ="Fortune"> <<linkappend "Fortune favors the Bold">> <<remove "#Turn">> <p>You think for a second, then decide to risk it. After all, your $mcTitley needs renown, and you as it's inheritor. Being in the gap between the two sword columns, you use this moment and space to rally the men behind you, raising your lance and yelling out:<p style="color:Darkgray;">"''Follow me, men! Charge!!''"</p> You don't quite have the gusto in your voice, like that of big-bellied Lord Borva, but you get the job done, as they quickly canter into a new, smaller wedge behind you. You charge through the second column of blades with some difficulty, but you do get through. You swim and wade easily through the marksmen and are now upon the light cavalry, about a third of whom you manage to eradicate, surprisingly easily. A couple of your horses and theirs get injured, as the cavalry is protected by a few spearmen. You realize this commander will either get trapped here by you and your men somehow, <<if $Command < 1>>(or you will get trapped by them)<</if>> or you will have to let them escape. This man is a commander, and clearly skilled in military affairs, and is without a doubt surrounded by the most well-trained troops he could muster. You, on the other hand have better equipped and more men, but men who have never fought real battles. Do you risk it and press the attack or not?</p> <<if $Command > 0 >>\ <span id ="press">\ <<linkappend "Press the attack">><<remove "#Letgo">> <p> You are the $mcTitle of $mcRealm, $mcName Czarny, and you will not ''falter!'' You ride around the men a couple more times, order your squad to focus on the cavalry which hasn't managed to get behind the \ spearguards. Not that there are enough for the cavalry ''and'' the commander anyway. Quickly, they are dispatched. Now, on to the spearmen. You are lucky you have more men with you than they, as otherwise they would easily have been able to join up with the rest of the army,\ had your fellow Lancers not been in the way. You dismount alongside about a dozen others, instructing the rest to guard your horses, and be ready to gallop after the noble should he escape. You link up again with the rest of the dismounted nobles, and prepare to engage the spears. </p> <img src="images/BB/misc/Spearguards.webp" width=350 height = 250 align="center"> <<if $Martial < 1>> <<linkappend "You are unable to crack them">> <<set $AmbushC to 1>><p> While fighting, you start to think back to the times when you really should've trained, but didn't feel like it. You're definitely regretting that laziness, as you quickly become tired, unused to the weight of your sword and shield. It is only the fact that you wear a brigandine instead of plate that prevents you from becoming so tired you get hammered by these enemies. The men at your side notice this, as well as in front of you, and you all are pushed back, at which point the commander promptly escapes. You feel ashamed, though the men around you feel like they have just been involved in a flash of heroism, for which they feel you are responsible. You hope you've not messed up things too badly with this stunt. Suppose you're about to [[find out.|FirstBattle]]</p>\ <</linkappend>><</if>>\ <<if $Martial >= 1>> <<linkappend "You quickly dispatch the spearmen">> <<set $AmbushC to 3>><p> The spearmen guarding this commander are clearly somewhat experienced, though you quickly adapt to their tendencies and dispatch them, at which point the commander tries to flee to your left, but his horse is tangled up, that is, attacked by one of your men, so he dismounts to try and run. Instead, you move in his path, and swipe at him, at which point he realizes there is no running. Yet, true to his military ways, he refuses to surrender, and instead draws his sword, rests the blade on his shield and clearly offers you a challenge. [[You take it on|MorozBattle]] </p> <</linkappend>><</if>> <</linkappend>></span> <span id ="Letgo"> <<linkappend "Let him go">> <<remove "#press">> You decide to let him go, feeling completely unprepared and retreat back to Borva's squad right after he leaves. At the point of your arrival, you realize the fight has ended, and you've won your first [[victory|FirstBattle]]<</linkappend>> </span> <<else>> <<linkappend "Let him go">> You decide to let him go, feeling completely unprepared and retreat back to Borva's squad right after he leaves. At the point of your arrival, you realize the fight has ended, and you've won your first [[victory.|FirstBattle][$AmbushC=1]]<</linkappend>> <</if>> <</linkappend>> </span> \ <span id ="Turn"> <<linkappend "Don't risk it, turn back">> <<remove "#Fortune">> <p>You try to stop, but suddenly realize that it's impossible and you end up causing a kerfuffle among the contingent that follows you. You would be in danger, but luckily your shitty tactics have confused the enemy as well, so you quickly regroup and ride back to the main body of the Lancers. On your way there, you cut and pierce almost half a dozen more men, and you see the rest of the Lancers easily doing much better than you themselves. This can't last long. Quickly enough, the enemy army gives way and your victory stands assured now. The spearmen of Höll are the last ones to give up, some of them trying to flee, but once a few are killed mercilessly by your cavalry, the majority of them see the writing on the wall and give themselves up.</p> That's your [[first battle...|FirstBattle]] <</linkappend>> </span>

<p>You turn your head right to see that pretty much the entire Lancer formation you're with is turning to the right, so you follow suit. You, being on the left wing, must continue charging forwards and turn at a slightly slower rate. You do so, and end up charging right through the middle of the two columns of swordsmen. Luckily, you're in formation, right alongside your fellow Lancers, whose stalward movements to both the left and right of you, not only disrupt, but decimate enemy lines enough that the very column to your right stops appearing. It is now just a mass of men with swords and shields, fighting for their lives, seeing as how the marksmen have been swallowed up by your death-worshipping charge before them. You notice this very same panic to your left as well. The men start breaking, dropping their weapons, and routing from the battlefield.</p> <<set _src="images/BB"+_src>> <video src="images/BB/misc/Charge.webm" height=_height width=_width autoplay loop > Something's Wrong, dumbass. </video> <p>A little further in front of you, about a hundred paces away, you notice cavalry, completely different looking from yours, fleeing away rapidly. The men have broken, the lines are destroyed, the enemy is defeated. Today, victory is yours. <<set $Morale+=5>> A little more fighting is required, you don't even put all your mind to it, to drive the point home to the now practically surrounded spearmen. Soon however, they break and the spearmen too are captured, most of them too afraid to flee cause of you Lancers.</p> <<linkreplace "Battle over">> <<include FirstBattleC>> <</linkreplace>>

<center><<set $AmbushC to -1>> <p>As you finally reach the Lancer formation, you see it gradually lose cohesion and unform, at the behest of the Knyaz. The Knyaz notices you and orders you to come closer. ''Shit''. You approach with shame in your canter...</p> <div class='z'>Knyaz Borva:"Boy, what the fuck do they teach you over at $mcRealm?" You look down in response. Knyaz Borva:"Have you never ridden a horse before?" You don't see what else you can do other than bear the brunt of this verbal beatdown. Knyaz Borva:"What kind of Lancer rides into a spearwall?"</div> You keep looking down. <div class='z'>Knyaz Borva:"Well, what kind of Lancer rides into a spearwall?!?" <div class='cb'>$mcNick:"W-what..."</div> Knyaz Borva:"''AN IDIOT LANCER.''" He yells out, loud enough for everyone around to hear. Knyaz Borva:"No shit yer $mcTitley is about to drown, when they make feckless idiots like ''you'' to lead them. Fuck off and try not to mess up any more lives next time you're in battle."</div> <p>You ride away, slowly, not even knowing where you're going, when you hear someone order everyone's return to the main Army host. On the way back, you join up next to $nickKr, who promptly rebuffs you and decides you're not worth his time. The moment you return, your duties call you, you do them as quickly as possible, you groom your horse, which you almost had killed with your foolishness, check your equipment, as if it's quality\ could compensate for the idiocy with which you have carried yourself today. You drop down to your cot at the end of the day and feel nothing but \ [[Shame.|SleepAfterAmbush]]</p> </center>

<center> <p>You're surprised by how easy that felt. You never left the side of your brothers-in-arms, easily cut through most everyone in your way, and completed the day victorious. You notice the Knyaz walking around, quickly checking how everyone is doing. He quickly notes yourself, sees you're fine and moves on, going to yell at a lad who almost rode into the spearmen in the middle of the charge. You feel a bit tired, but your adrenaline still carries you onwards. There is no battle going anymore, yet you still feel a bit on edge. That felt too short for your primal instincts. You hear the Knyaz yell out:<p class='z'>"''We're moving back, boys! To camp! Form a column''"</p> You move into the line next to $nickKr, and simply ride in silence for a while. $nickKr glances to his left, tired and says:"Good job, $mcTitle. We're still alive." You grunt in confirmation, tired now that all adrenaline has left your bloodstream. Upon returning, you conclude your tasks as quickly as possible, taking care to put the most effort into grooming your horse, she's done a lot for you today. Afterwards you smack yourself down on the cot of your tent, and resign yourself to sleep until the next day.</p> [[Continue|SleepAfterAmbush]] </center>

<video src="images/BB/misc/march.webm" height=300 width=300 autoplay loop> Something's Wrong, dumbass. </video>\

<center> <<set $gold-=10>><p> Now that the siege has well and truly begun, as well as autumn, you once again manage to recall all of the many horror stories you learned about from your youth to today, all of them concerning war. You remember the terrifying nature of starvation which you will inflict upon yourself, and much, much worse on the inhabitants of Tomit. The cold which they in particular will have to endure, not having the timber which you will gather from the surrounding forests. It is said that the best siege is not the kind that is concluded by the attackers taking the city in a heroic rampage against the defenders, but that of the patient invaders waiting until the city is simply a graveyard of skin and bones, hidden behind walls which they calmly and without fighting, walk into.</p> <<set $Dread++>> <p>About a week and a half have passed since Gareth has joined you once again, and you're very welcome for the company. Your equipment is taken care of by him, since he no longer is taken up by tasks in the peasant portion of the Army. You two talk for a bit every day, but Knyaz Borva has been sending you to lead auxiliary detachments as lieutenant to look for supplies for the besiegement, so you have had little time to waste. Your regular bouts of leadership gives you some experience in how to deal with insubordination, especially in these cold moments, when pain is easy to induce. One such day, when you are waiting for orders from the Knyaz, he tells you of a nearby Barony, whose Noble is behind the walls, probably with his troops, and you are to lead an expedition to take supplies from his Baronial palace.</p> <<linkappend "Go to raid">> <p>You take a dozen men, making sure Gareth is with you as well. You ride through a forest, going North West from your tent, passing by the men cutting wood for your siege, and continue to where the approximate\ location given to you by the Knyaz. A cold and somewhat barren looking part of the forest awaits you, and you can't help but shiver, more from unease at your eerie surroundings than cold. <p class='cb'>$mcNick:"Wooofh, it's cold out here, eh?"</p> You say to keep up appearances. The man next to you chuckles... You don't even know his name. You spot what looks like a slightly beaten path. You have no trackers with you, and you certainly aren't that well versed in scouting, so you pick a direction and just head off further into the forest.\ Seems you picked the right direction as you come upon a paved road soon after.</p> <img src="images/BB/misc/Village.jpg" width=300 height = 250 align="center"> <p>Half an hour later, you come upon a small, but well-looking village. If it had shittier roads, huts, and a slightly more dilapitated palace, it would look a lot like $mcRealm, only shifted around a bit. It makes you feel homesick. You shrug off the nostalgia as if it's cold and push into the center of the weirdly empty village.</p> <p class='cb'>$mcNick:"On your guard. This place shouldn't be empty."</p> <p>You trot to the very center of the village, standing right next to the well. Looking around, you notice nothing happening. No movement, no sound, and no light except some candlelight from the palace. Though, similarly to your own $mcTitley, it's hard to even call it a palace, it's little more than a luxurious home, like a particularly tiny mansion. Anyhow, you decide to approach with Gareth and knock on the\ door. Pressing your ear to the door, you just barely hear some seemingly panicked whispers, and a pair of weird sounding boots approaching. You rest your hand on your sword. The door opens, and inside the doorway,\ you spot a <h style="color:Crimson;">''dangerous''</h></p> <<linkreplace "dangerous what?">> <img src="images/BB/misc/Maid.png" width=250 height = 475 align="left"> <h1>Lady?</h1> <p class='zh'>Unknown:"H-H-Hallö?"</p> You look at Gareth, confused, and he returns the same gaze. <p class='cb'>$mcNick:"Hello, my Lady, what is going on here?"</p> <p>Her look flits between you and Gareth, quickly concluding that you're not going to do her harm. She comes closer and speaks to the two of you, fear bejeweling her eyes.</p> <p class='zh'>Unknown:"Hello... you Lords? Thank Almighty! Help!" She squeals, clutching her hands to her chest.</p> <p class='cb'>You remember your manners:"My Lady, at your disposal is Lord $mcTitle $mcName Czarny of $mcRealm and my sergeant Gareth of $mcRealm, how may I help?" You say with a gentlemanly bow. Then you knock Gareth to remind him to do the same.</p> <p class='zh'>Agatha:"Lords, I am Agatha, maid of Lady Katherine." She announces with her hand, deeper into the palace. </p> <<linkappend "You look to her left.">> <p style="padding-bottom:250px;"><img src="images/BB/misc/Lady.webp" width=250 height = 450 align="right" > You spot a fair young maiden, presumably Lady Katherine, who looks every bit the noble she's supposed to resemble. Silky smooth skin, as is common for your peoples, brown hair, and a rich dress adorning her\ thin, feminine curves. Brown hair, a spotless face, and full deep red lips that could draw in the most hardy men all look at you expectantly, as if you're some kind of savior. <p class='s'> Gareth:"Whoa."</p>\ </p>\ <<set $lkrel to 0>>\ <p class='gri'>Lady Katherine:"Hello, Lord $mcRealm, apologies for Agatha's poor understanding of your language. Our languages may be similar, but they still require some practise."</p>\ <p class='cb'>$mcNick:"Of course, it's fine. What help do you require? You're our enemies, after all. We're not going to mess up our own campaign."</p>\ You say stoically, one cannot forget his goal, but you notice Gareth looking at you a bit incredulous. Always the horndog. <p class='gri'>Lady Katherine:"With the withdrawal of our good Baron, my brother, and the majority of the troops, this place has been left undefended. We could not harm you even if we wished so." Lady Katherine:"On the other hand, there are brigands about who have been trying to take over this village, who we would wish much harm upon. This is what we would ask of you."</p> <p>A bandit group? You're sure you could take them, no matter how many they are. But would that be a good idea? You came to get whatever supplies you could, not to make sure there are more people around,\ to eat up supplies... <p class='gri'>Lady Katherine notices your thinking and offers:"We would gladly give you information for our safety."</p> Now that sounds like a good deal. The incredibly well defended city of Tomit would surely have it's defenses pierced at least somewhat by information from one of it's ladies.</p> [[Deal|Brigands]] [[No Deal|RaidVillage]] <</linkappend>> <</linkreplace>> <</linkappend>> </center>

<center> <<set $gold-=10>><p> Now that the siege has well and truly begun, as well as autumn, you once again manage to recall all of the many horror stories you learned about from your youth to today, all of them concerning war. You remember the terrifying nature of starvation which you will inflict upon yourself, and much, much worse on the inhabitants of Tomit. The cold which they in particular will have to endure, not having the timber which you will gather from the surrounding forests. It is said that the best siege is not the kind that is concluded by the attackers taking the city in a heroic rampage against the defenders, but that of the patient invaders waiting until the city is simply a graveyard of skin and bones, hidden behind walls which they calmly and without fighting, walk into.</p> <<set $Dread++>> <p>About a week and a half have passed since Gareth has joined you once again, and you're very welcome for the company. Your equipment is taken care of by him, since he no longer is taken up by tasks in the peasant portion of the Army. You've been having plenty of time to converse with one another, and your morale problem has been much relieved by his conversational efforts. Sometimes you feel almost as if the two of you are back in \ $mcRealm, where you don't have to fear for your life or fucking things up and someone else dies. You've always known yourself to be a sharp mind, and very socially adept. The latter obviously comes from your many interactions with travelers, but your intellect, per your father's words come from your mother.\ While you certainly understand the sentiment, he's probably underestimating the effect your teachers had on you. Their lessons were brutal, like your father's standards. The combination of these two things \ have most likely led to you developing a quick mind, and thinking outside of the box.</p> <p><img src="images/BB/misc/cannon.webp" width=300 height = 250 align="left">\ \ You've been lending your sharp mind to the engineers and their construction, or more accurately assembly of cannons. The thick walls of Tomit, alongside it's general defensive structure, left your army quite perplexed, concerned with it's next step. It was decided that cannons during the next couple of weeks would fully wreck the walls on one of the axis, through which your army would then be able to march in, rather than spreading itself thin along three different points of entry. Unfortunately, your engineering work has paid little, and \ your purse is all around 20 coins down from what you had started off with.</p> <img src="images/BB/Kat/Lady.webp" width=300 height = 435 align="right"> <p style="font-size:25px;">You're about to move over to the engineers' usual spot one morning, when Knyaz Borva approaches you with two women, one of them dressed quite fine. She has deep brown, full red lips, an attractive curvature, and a face with beautiful skin clear of any marks.</p> <p class='z'>Knyaz Borva:"$mcNick, this is Lady Katherine, and her servant Agatha." You shake hands with them.</p> <p class='z'>Knyaz Borva:"Make sure they've a tent and are not bothered. Can I trust you not to f-" And then glances to his right, at Lady Katherine. "Not to mess anything up?"</p> <p class='cb'>$mcNick:"Sure, Lord Borva."</p> <p>Knyaz Borva says alright, and leaves the three of you like that. The day is cold, it's wet, and you've no clue how to set up even the most shoddy of accommodations a Lady is supposed to have, even if you were back\ in $mcRealm, let alone here where everything is scant. You see no choice in front of you but to acquiesce and admit you need her instruction on what she needs.</p> <<set $lkrel to 10>> <h class='gri'>Lady Katherine:"Hihihi, no need to worry, my Lord. I only need a tent, I've everything else I need."</h> <span id="KatTent1"> <<linkappend "Buy her a Lady's tent (20 Gold)">><<remove "#KatTent2">> <p><img src="images/BB/misc/exptent.webp" width=300 height = 420 align="left"> <<set $gold-=20>>\ <<set $lkrel+=5>>\ You get her a really nice one. It's colorful enough to wow anyone of noble standing, big enough to move around in, and tall enough to stand up in. You have Gareth set it up, and you notice he hits it off with Agatha, the Lady's servant and maid. She thanks you profusely, and you see her maid clearly grateful for your generosity as well, cause this means she doesn't have to sleep outside, or buy her own tent. <img src="images/BB/misc/Maid.png" width=200 height = 350 align="right"> You recall you must be careful with your money, as your coinpurse can only be relieved by your own successful actions, or burdened by failures. The time comes to once again help out with the bombardment, and you get to work immediately.</p> [[Continue|TomitNightBeforeRaid]] <</linkappend>> </span>\ <span id="KatTent2"> <<linkappend "Buy her a regular tent (10 Gold)">><<remove "#KatTent1">> <p><img src="images/BB/misc/Tent.webp" width=175 height = 200 align="left"> You buy her a regular tent, not at all different from yours, except hopefully with a less leaky roof. You think of swapping them for a second, but quickly change your mind. You are a blue-blooded gentleman, after all. You have Gareth set it up, and you notice he hits it off with Agatha, the Lady's servant and maid. You recall you must be careful with your money, as your coinpurse can only be relieved by your own successful actions, or burdened by failures. The time comes to once again help out with the bombardment, and you get to work immediately.</p> [[Continue|TomitNightBeforeRaid]] <<set $gold-=10>> <</linkappend>> </span> </center> \ \ \ \ \ \ \ \ \ \ \ \ \ \ \ \ \ \ \ \

<body class="whiteback"> <center><<set $lkrel+=5>> <p class='cb'>$mcNick:"Deal."</p> <p>The moment you speak, you see Lady Katherine let out a breath you didn't even realize she was holding in. Must be a well educated and raised noble, if she fooled you. You're a humble $mcTitle, considering\ the circumstances of your $mcTitley, but you have always known yourself to be ''very'' intelligent and socially adept. The fact that she fooled you speaks of the quality of her noble upbringing.</p> <p class='gri'>Lady Katherine:"I... Thank you... Thank you very much, Lord...? What did you say your name was?"</p> <p class='cb'>$mcNick:"$mcNick, my Lady."</p> <p class='gri'>Lady Katherine smiles and purrs:<h class="pinkfont">"$mcNick."</h> Lady Katherine:"Would you do this immediately if I may request?"</p> You think for a second, but relent:"Sure. Why not?" <p class='gri'>Lady Katherine:"I assume you're here to forage for supplies, Agatha would you mind showing our friend here where they may get them?"</p> Agatha looks confused, trying to decipher what Lady Katherine has just ordered, seems to get what she was told to do and curtsies:<p class='zh'>"Of course, My Lady."</p> She grabs Gareth by the arm, and walks away out of the palace. <p class='gri'>Lady Katherine:"Would you close the door, please? It's freezing."</p> You do so, and walk up to a table where she seems to intend on briefing you of the Bandit camp's location. <p class='gri'>Lady Katherine:"See this? This is our village, Tern. This, a bit southeast is Tomit, or nowadays the outskirts of Tomit, this is an old map. Up here to the north, where the source of a stream of water which flows\ down into Tern, is where\ you'll find the Bandit camp. I don't know how many there are, but I can't imagine there are too many. Tomit is the wealthiest city in our realm, and our Barony is certainly not any exception to this region's wealth,\ so Brigands are a rare sight. Or at least they have been so far."</p> <p class='cb'>$mcNick:"Is that all? What kind of fortifications do they have?"</p> <p class='gri'>Lady Katherine:"I... I know not. I apologize, $mcTitle."</p> <p class='cb'>$mcNick:"Very well, I suppose you haven't got scouts." You spot worry on her face, anger that she doesn't have the information you need to defend ''her''. In an attempt to assuage her fears, you say: $mcNick:<em>"You will be safe, my Lady. Of that I assure you."</em></p> <p>She sighs and looks at you dearly, clearly availed of her worry for her own life. War ''is'' hell and you're a piss-poor representative of peace. She is so happy she gives you a hug, which you, as stinky as you are,\ accept wholeheartedly. \ <video src="images/BB/Kat/KatHug.webm" height=300 width=300 autoplay loop> \ Something's Wrong, dumbass. </video> Lady Katherine whispers:<h5 class="pinkfont">"Thank you, Lord. Our worries have been resolved, and you've brought us much respite."</h5></p> <p class='cb'>$mcNick:"You're welcome, my Lady. I'm off now to actually rid you of these brigands, or else I may appear to be a charlatan, only talking about solutions, but never introducing them."</p> <p>You exit the palace and look around for Gareth. <img src="images/BB/misc/Giggle.webp" align="left"> You spot him and Agatha looking at a shed, probably the one where the supplies are stored, and Gareth says something that humors the lady's servant. Well then, hopefully he shall conquer one more thing today other than just the bandits. He will, however have to do that after you dispose the land of these wretches you've been alerted to. You walk up.</p> <p class='cb'>$mcNick:"Gareth, Agatha, we're to go fight."</p> <p class='zh'>Agatha:"Me? Not me!"</p> <p class='cb'>You chuckle and say:"Not you, girl, we will fight, you stay here and keep your Lady safe."</p> <p class='zh'>Agatha:"Yes, sir." She says and walks off.</p> <p>You dismiss her and point to your horses, which Gareth understands and walks alongside you as you go to mount up.</p> <<linkappend "To the camp.">> <p>You set off in the direction of Tern's North, which you suppose is North in general, as well. At the source of the stream you find absolutely no one. Could she have fooled you? Could she have fooled herself? You suppose it's not impossible that she has drawn incorrect conclusions from her limited information. You look around, lost in thought, when you spot a dense patch of trees westward from where you are. It's already evening, so you have a hard time seeing things. Taking a more focused look, you notice what appears to be a memento of these bandits. A shield with some crude red scrawl. Hung on a tree branch, presumably to scare people. Not you. You're the danger in these woods. You approach with Gareth, and before you even get to the shield, you see the camp in the distance. There's definitely more of them than you. You don't see any horses, or animals around. Other than the one cooking in the middle of the camp. No fortificationns whatsoever, just a bunch of tents and a fire. You spot many dead bodies in a pile just downhill from the camp, looking like the old men who probably remained in Tern. What savages.</p> <<set $Command++>> <p>You see no reason not to charge, so you wave to your men to catch up first, then build up a charge together with them. There aren't that many of you, and you aren't armed or equipped to the level of Lancer, so you dozen-ish light cavalrymen charge into the fray unprepared and quickly find the enemy routing and utterly \ terrified. You cut down every single ''one'' you come across, and the others pierce or trample them. At the end of this lightning battle, all of the bandits lay dead, you are trotting away victorious, with a cooked rabbit in your hand, gradually becoming cooked rabbit in your stomach, your coin-purse 10 coins \ richer as well. <video src="images/BB/misc/dozencharge.webm" autoplay loop> \ Something's Wrong, dumbass. </video></p> <p>Upon returning, you spot Agatha peeking out a boarded up window, thinking she's invisible, when she mutters something you can't hear, immediately followed by the Lady exiting the Palace. She has a grin and yells out, loud enough for all fourteen of you to hear:</p> <p class='gri'>Lady Katherine:"Thank you, brave men! I would throw you all a feast, but as you can see, my entire village has been ransacked by those you've slain, and I've no choice but to throw my lot in with you."</p> You trot your horse up to her, dismount and ask her if she would like to be escorted to the safety of your encampment. <<set $lkrel+=10>> <p class='cb'>Lady Katherine:"Why yes, that would be amazing, my Lord."</p> <p>You help her up your mount, which she rides sideways, much to your chagrin. You and Gareth walk, letting the ladies ride instead of you, which prolongs your journey back greatly. By the time you return, it's already late, late night and you happen to run into Borva, who's just saying good night to the Wojewoda.</p> <p class='z'>Knyaz Borva:"''$mcRealm!'' Where have you been?<<if $AmbushC>1>> I've been worried I lost my best man hah!<</if>>"</p> You instruct the men to move on and rest, with only Agatha, Gareth and the Lady sticking by you. <p class='cb'>$mcNick:"Knyaz Borva!" You emphasize his title, as a hint to the Lady, "The village we came upon was beset by regular, unsuccessful raids by a brigand group. These ladies, Lady Katherine and her servant, Agatha,\ are the only ones who have remained and survived. We have offered them shelter and security."</p> <p class='z'>The Knyaz listens to all this very carefully and then says:"Good, good. I'll ensure your safety, my lady. It's a good thing I sent $mcNick here, he's a real blue-blood."</p> <p>Lady Katherine indicates she wants to dismount, which you help her with, not doubting for a second she could do so without you. Gareth helps Agatha, always needing reminders of proper manners.</p> <p class='gri'>Lady Katherine:"Very well. I put myself at your disposal, Lord Knyaz. Good night, <h class="pinkfont">brave Sir $mcRealm</h>."</p> <p>She compliments you, speaking of you as a knight, even though she knows well from your conversations during the journey back that you are not even remotely close to that, being a lowly $mcTitle. The Knyaz chuckles, clearly amused at the flattery and escorts the ladies away, stopping only to turn around and give you a clear <<linkappend "sign of approval.">> <video src="images/BB/misc/Thumb.webm" autoplay loop> \ Something's Wrong, dumbass. </video> <</linkappend>> You walk off, after instructing Gareth, to stable your horses. You get back to your tent, and notice that the tent Gareth bought almost three days ago has been set up. Finally. But why didn't he set it up himself? It wasn't up this morning, when you set off. Weird. Anyway, you're off to sleep. </p> [[Continue|TomitNightBeforeRaid]] <</linkappend>> </center> </body>

<center> <<set $lkrel to -1>> <<set $Morale++>> You decline her deal, and get to work raiding the village for supplies. The lady asks for escort to your camp, which you have no reason to refuse as well. You take as much as you want, get back to camp with the supplies and location for any future raiding parties. Gareth nags you for a while, constantly pestering with how hot they ''both'' were, but you don't let this move you. You have only one goal in mind. <b>[[The Barony's future|TomitNightBeforeRaid]]</b> </center>

<center><<set $KatKiss+=1>> <p><img src="images/BB/Kat/lady.jpg" width=300 height = 450 align="right"> To get away from the cold, you and Lady Katherine have been chilling, literally, with each other fairly often. You've spent a lot of time talking to each other, at first in your tent. then you've moved on to hers, since you figured out it's much warmer in there, not to mention spacious, considering she doesn't have the armor and weapon stands to take up space, like you do in your already smaller tent. You've learned very little about her, even though you've spent at least half an hour every day, perhaps because you're often distracted by her flittering eyelashes and succulent lips. She's a good-looking brunette woman, with noble manners and gentle mannerisms. You're a poor $mcTitle, barely even a Noble, with rough unrefined mannerisms. What is the point of this companionship? Is she so lonely here, that you have managed to present yourself as the only worthwhile partner for dialogue of all the Nobles of the Kingdom? Today is one of those days when she decided to rearrange everything in her tent, and you chuckle silently to yourself because you understand there is probably no reason for her to do that, she just has nothing else to do.</p> <p class='gri'>Lady Katherine:"Oh, Lord Czarny! Good day to you." She says, not knowing it's evening.</p> <p class='cb'>$mcNick:"Good evening to you too. And you as well, miss Agatha." You say as Agatha moves out of the tent, knowing her place, while you wait at the entrance for the Lady's invitation.</p> <p class='gri'>Lady Katherine:"Apologies for the mess, I hope you don't mind sitting on the bed here next to me." She says apologetically while tapping her bed and bedframe. She wasn't content with a cot on the ground. </p> <p class='cb'>$mcNick:"Of course. I don't mind. After all, this is one of the only bedframes in this whole camp. Though perhaps it's a slightly short-sighted one, Lady Katherine. The talk around the Nobility is that we attack soon."</p> <p>She gets a slightly worried, but hopeful look on her face. One of the few things you've learned from her is that she and her brother are part of a not at all small faction in the Principality, who would rather see their realm align itself with the Swiatlans, rather than the Faizis, seeing as how the cultural and language similarities are far more plentiful between the Höll and the Swiatlan peoples. You suspect she's hopeful for a chance to see her brother again, having not been allowed to parlay with the other side, for fear of giving away information, but concerned more than anything that he won't live to see ''her''.</p> <p class='gri'>Lady Katherine:"Oh, I so hope you both survive. I've grown to like you quite a bit, good Sir $mcNick."</p> <p class='cb'>You chuckle and say:"Well I just came here to give you that piece of information, to warn poor Agatha of the work that awaits her and perhaps she'll warn Gareth."</p>\ <p>As you finish that sentence, she laughs audibly and you find yourself fighting off the automatic squeeze of your stomach at the presence of butterflies flittering about in it. The reason she laughs at your statement is because Gareth, similarly to your relationship with the Lady, has managed to ingratiate himself to Agatha, at least he seems to think so, having helped her with the many menial and laborious tasks, which usually the Lady assigns to Agatha alone. You've so far let your sergeant do so, meaning help with Agatha's tasks, while you've been busy helping around the more intelligence-related tasks of the besiegement. <<if $rank eq "Lieutenant">> And also foraging.<</if>></p> You've thought a lot about what to do and decided that you would: <span id="GarethAg"><<linkappend "Let Gareth continue">><<remove "#noGarethAg">> <p class='cb'>$mcNick:"Well it's a nice enough distraction for them, so they don't disturb us, their ''betters''.</p> <p class='gri'>Lady Katherine:"Well I respect your decision. Speaking of distractions... <h class="pinkfont">Thank you very much for distracting ''my'' worries</h>."</p><p> As she says this, sitting right next to you, your legs touching even, you notice her face relax and lose it's constant mask of nobility. She lets herself lean her small head on you, on your chest as she grabs for your support. Emotional and physical.</p>\ <video src="images/BB/Kat/HugKiss.webm" width=500 height=400 autoplay loop> Something's Wrong, dumbass. </video> <p>She seems quite worried indeed. You don't squander the opportunity and give her a loving hug, even feel bold enough to kiss her head. As you two move around on the bed, she detaches herself from your ribcage and looks up at you. She starts moving around her leg, unsure if you are okay with the close contact. Realizing her own discomfort, she smiles to herself very subtly, and turns away her head.</p> <video src="images/BB/Kat/Couch1.webm" controls autoplay loop> Something's Wrong, dumbass. </video> <p>Having found the strength in yourself while she seems defeated by her own insecurity, you grab her chin and turn her to yourself. As she looks up at you once more, gazing through your eyes into your very soul, she whispers with the slightest and sweetest voice you've ever heard:<h class="pinkfont">"$mcName..."</h> And then you move in.</p> <video src="images/BB/Kat/Couch2.webm" controls autoplay loop> Something's Wrong, dumbass. </video>\ <p>You continue like this for a little while longer, sucking on each other's tongues and lips, stopping very briefly at times to catch a breath. You're surprised at the courage of this lady in front of you, being completely undefended from outsiders looking in by her flimsy tent flap (not a euphemism). You even get a nice full hand of her beautiful tight butt. She doesn't even flinch as you let your hands roam all around her behind, from the back of her head, down to her curvy, slim thighs.</p> <video src="images/BB/Kat/Couch3.webm" controls autoplay loop> Something's Wrong, dumbass. </video>\ <<if $lkrel >= 14>> [[Continue|KatBJSiege]] <<else>> <<linkappend "Kat says something">> <p class='gri'>Lady Katherine:"Hihi, wait...wait, wait..... ''Wait!''"</p> <p class='cb'>You reply impatiently, surprising yourself:"What!"</p> <p class='gri'>Lady Katherine:"I'm sorry Lord $mcTitle, but we can't do this."</p> <p class='cb'>You get a hold of yourself and relinquish:"Yes.... yes you're right."</p> You sigh deeply as you lean your head on hers for a last bit of comfort. You might die soon, but you won't get love out of pity, at least not from this Lady. You quickly say your goodbyes, and you exit her tent, going outside to cool off, probably more so than you need to. [[Go for a walk|WojProp]] <</linkappend>><</if>> <</linkappend>></span> <span id="noGarethAg"><<linkappend "Tell Gareth to prepare for the capture of the city">><<remove "#GarethAg">> <p class='gri'>Lady Katherine:"Well I respect your decision. <h class="pinkfont">Thank you very much for distracting my worries</h>."</p> <p>As she says this, sitting right next to you, your legs touching even, you notice her face relax and lose it's constant mask of nobility. She lets herself lean her small head on you, on your chest as she grabs for your support. Emotional and physical.</p> <video src="images/BB/Kat/HugKiss.webm" width=500 height=400 autoplay loop> Something's Wrong, dumbass. </video> <p>She seems quite worried indeed. You don't squander the opportunity and give her a loving hug, even feel bold enough to kiss her head. As you two move around on the bed, she detaches herself from your ribcage and looks up at you. She starts moving around her leg, unsure if you are okay with the close contact. Realizing her own discomfort, she smiles to herself very subtly, and turns away her head.</p> <video src="images/BB/Kat/Couch1.webm" controls loop> Something's Wrong, dumbass. </video> <p>Having found the strength in yourself while she seems defeated by her own insecurity, you grab her chin and turn her to yourself. As she looks up at you once more, gazing through your eyes into your very soul, she whispers with the slightest and sweetest voice you've ever heard:<h class="pinkfont">"$mcName..."</h> And then you move in.</p> <video src="images/BB/Kat/Couch2.webm" controls loop> Something's Wrong, dumbass. </video>\ <p>You continue like this for a little while longer, sucking on each other's tongues and lips, stopping very briefly at times to catch a breath. You're surprised at the courage of this lady in front of you, being completely undefended from outsiders looking in by her flimsy tent flap (not a euphemism). You even get a nice full hand of her beautiful tight butt. She doesn't even flinch as you let your hands roam all around her behind, from the back of her head, down to her curvy, slim thighs.</p> <video src="images/BB/Kat/Couch3.webm" controls loop> Something's Wrong, dumbass. </video>\ <<if $lkrel >= 14>> [[Continue|KatBJSiege]] <<else>> <<linkappend "Kat says something">> Lady Katherine:"Hihi, wait...wait, wait..... ''Wait!''" You reply impatiently, surprising yourself:"What!" Lady Katherine:"I'm sorry Lord $mcTitle, but we can't do this." You get a hold of yourself and relinquish:"Yes.... yes you're right." You sight deeply as you lean your head on hers for a last bit of comfort. You might die soon, but you won't get love out of pity, at least not from this Lady. You quickly say your goodbyes, and you exit her tent, going outside to cool off, probably more so than you need to. [[Go for a walk|WojProp]] <</linkappend>><</if>> <</linkappend>></span> </center> \ \ \ \ \ \ \ \ \ \ \

<<if $TomitSplit>><<include "TomitSplit">><</if>><center> <p><img src="images/BB/misc/Nizamy.webp" width=400 height=300 align="left"> To the right it is... You see the squad of Greatswords visibly adapt the moment they spot you. Their formation rotates, the swords come at the ready, and they place the bulk of their men at the spot between you and the firing squads. Remembering your order to protect $nickKr, you think for a second about retreating to safety, leaving the Meatball to the mercy of the Faizis and their blackpowder. You think of Gareth, how you might fare without him, knowing that he would most likely be killed in the Meatball. You find the thought of that loss quite discomforting, and so you decide to charge at the Greatswords regardless of the possibility of death. Your formation is smaller than you would like it to be, about half the size of men waiting for your charge with Great blades of steel. You spot to your left, now that you have turned diagonally towards the Greatsword formation, from the Meatball a detachment, separating from the larger body of Meat and running down at the pike-defended line of gunmen. Without time to look into it further, you conclude they are deserters, leaving the Meatball for perceived safety in the arms of the enemy.</p> <p><img src="images/BB/misc/Gswords.webp" align="right">\ \ No time now, you point at the Greatswords with the tip of your own blade, making it clear to the Nobility around you who the target is. Trotting forward, you build up just enough momentum for a gallop, the quickest one you've ever done and crash with full might into the well-prepared Greatsword wall, yelling Death to the enemy. You're the tip of the spear as the first man to charge, no lance, and only sword and shield to protect you from your adversaries. The blades immediately reach you, slapping at your brigandine with great force, somehow leaving you unscathed. You think a quick prayer for the old Blacksmith from a neighboring Barony to $mcRealm, for the magic work he has done, which has now saved your life. You easily break through the Greatswords, quickly trampling the gunmen alongside the other Nobles, their constant firepower being a much bigger threat to the Meatball than these Knights.</p> ''And indeed Knights they are.'' <p><img src="images/BB/misc/Agin.webp" width=400 height=520 align="left"> Having broken through and trampled through many gunmen, you turn around to see the severely undermanned cavalry formation of yours has diminished greatly. You had just about $TomitMen men following your lead at the start of this charge, you've now found it is <<set $TomitMen=$TomitMen/2+5>><<set $TomitMen=Math.round($TomitMen)>>\ $TomitMen. Those are dead ''Nobles'', and it's only luck that $nickKr isn't dead, as you see him slicing through a couple of Holliks while getting his shield nicked off bit by bit. The Holliks are luckily not aware of his great and important status, as they do not give chase after him while he and the rest of the formation move around, not letting themselves be pinned down. The gunmen on this side are gone. You can't do much about the gunmen on the other side, but you also can't finish your fight yet. If you were to leave these men to do whatever they want, they would likely charge at the Meatball, now that they've no duty to protect the gunmen. Seeing as how the Meatball is preoccupied by the enemy one to it's front, and the gunmen to its' left a charge from it's side, especially done by these men, clearly veterans with good equipment, or at least Nobles, would very plausibly destroy the Meatball. Even if that were to be avoided, there would be so many dead, your Kingdom's campaign would be destroyed immediately, without ever reaching the Great Vizierlik, lacking the proper manpower for a further war. No you cannot leave this fight at all. ''You must fight on''.</p> <p><img src="images/BB/misc/Deadk.webp" width=400 height=520 align="right"> You get back into the fray, just barely getting up to a canter before being stopped in your momentum. You cut and hack and slash and defend. You move around the steel messengers of Death, evading the final Letter every single second. This continues for half an hour, during which time you don't even stop to look at the match going on between the Meatballs, nor at the other line of gunmen<<if $TomitSplit>>, nor at the street from which reinforcements should arrive<</if>>. The adrenaline starts to leave your body, your muscles now starting to feel numb, much alike your mind, glancing around only to see that there are maybe a dozen men left on their mounts. An unseated cavalryman in these circumstances is a dead cavalryman, you don't even think about looking for the friendly bodies among the dead. However, the thing is, many of the bodies are also hostile ones. Among your enemies, you see now a clear drop in energy, obviously they are as tired as you are, having to rely on their own feet to carry them, and wielding heavier weaponry. The dead Knights lying around them are the cherry on top for you. The Greatswords fight with a much diminished vigour, just as you, yet they fall with quicker pace than your cavalry. You disengage, and yell out the command to your fellows to follow. Turning your head, you watch the few Knights still there, still alive as they drop their swords and rest on them, looking dead on their feet. You've done your job. Now what about the other side? They were defended by pikemen, who would decimate your dozen men if you were to charge. Are you going to be required to march upon them on foot? You're already quite dead in your musculature, you can't even imagine going to more battle.</p> [[Look upon the pikemen|TomitEnd]] </center>

<center><<set $TomitSplit to 1>> <<set $TomitMen/=2>> <p>Figuring out that you've limited capabilities and even more limited options for retreat, which means limited options for survival, you figure you should try for a slightly more risky maneuver which would hopefully save your skin for sure, and possibly improve your chances of winning, as well. You know that the Gate which was broken down is not viable to get into the city. The walls and bridge and gate are all replaced by rubble created from the daily bombardment by your besiegers. However... you're already inside the city. Generally the way cities are taken up by assault is that the attacking army scales up the walls, defeats the enemy placed there, and then opens the gate for the rest of the army. Seeing as how you're already inside, why not fight your way to one of the other gates? Well, that would clearly still leave the Meatball defeated, so you can't leave, but you can let the rest of the Nobles inside. Still, that would leave the Meatball to the mercy of Blackpowder, which you wouldn't want to see the results of. ''But'', you could split your cavalry formation to two, send one detachment to the Gate, and assault the Greatswords with the other. That would work.</p> </center> <p class='cb'>$mcNick:"$nickKr!"</p> <p class='p'>$nickKr:"Yes, $mcTitle?!"</p> <p class='cb'>$mcNick:"Instruct that man over there to take half of our cavalry to the gate!" You point out at a man whom you know is a decent enough commander.</p> <p class='p'>$nickKr:"The gate? It's broken, we've no use for it."</p> <p class='cb'>$mcNick:"Not the gate we came in through, but the other one. Or at least one of the other ones... We've to let the rest in or secure a retreat point! Tell Wojin over there to open the nearest functioning gate and hold it's position. I want you to join them and find the Wojewoda. Tell him of our dire circumstances."</p> <p class='p'>$nickKr:"No! I will not flee! I beseech you, $mcNick. I want to fight!"</p> <p>Damn insubordination. You can't exactly order him, you aren't officially in charge here. Plus he's the Wojewoda's son, you're poor as shit.</p> <p class='cb'>$mcNick:"Fine. But find someone who will carry the message! Is that clear?"</p> <p class='p'>$nickKr:"Of course, $mcTitle!"</p> <center> <p>You glance around one last time... There is nothing you can do leftwards, pikemen are there. Even though they clearly look like peasants, it's not hard to raise a pike and hold it in place while you all stab yourselves onto them. No, there is only one direction here.</p></center>

<center><p><img src="images/BB/misc/TiredK.webp" align="left">\ You see quickly that the men to the left of the Meatball are largely dead, replaced by what is clearly friendly men-at-arms. All of them are bloody, some dead, most of them tired, but they have smiles on their faces. Not only have they managed to get themselves out of the fray of fighting at the center of the Meatball, but they've managed to save their comrades, the ones who form up the Meatball, the bulk of the Army. Your sergeant, Gareth stands right in the center of this contingent of men, clearly the de-facto leader. His timely intervention has saved the left flank, while you saved the right flank. "Good man", you say quietly, to yourself.</p> <p>You notice that much of your surroundings have been set ablaze and burned up already while you were busy fighting the Greatswords. You remember noticing some lights coming out of nowhere while fighting, though you dared not distract yourself. The wooden column just to the right of you, holding up the house or inn or pub or whatever it used to be where you have decided to rest for a bit, is burned entirely black, reminding you somewhat of the woods back home, where your last name comes from. The woods which are quite dark in color, when wetted by rain, tend to get even darker, which is why your House is called <<linkappend "Czarny">> (meaning - black) <</linkappend>>.</p> <p><img src="images/BB/misc/Cavalry.jpeg" align="left">\ <<if $TomitSplit>>Quickly enough,<<else>>A long while after the fighting is almost done,<</if>> the rest of the Cavalry comes, and they present a new nail in the coffin of the army of Höll, their following charge being the final one. They come to a tired cavalry, a tired pair of Meatballs fighting, and a tired contingent of Men to it's left. Yet their newfound presence only presents itself as a form of salvation for yourself and the general infantry, which you aren't a part of today, after all. The men on your side view them today not as the pompous Nobility which has managed to put the brunt of today's battle onto their charges - the peasants, which is how they usually view them. Today they see a heroic intervention in a tough battle, coming in the final moments of their men's plight, prepared and eager to fight. And you can't help but feel the same way yourself. You barely have the strength to keep just your upper body straight, being on horseback. You're too tired to even follow with your head the charge which is ordered to destroy the enemy Meatball, once a part of the cavalry is in proper position to do so. You just wait for the order to go to bed, and are rearing to gallop your horse there. Wherever that bed may be.</p> <p>You spot the Wojewoda riding up to your small contingent of surviving nobles, not even thinking about anything but his son, only speaking to him, hugging him quickly, and disengaging. You see $nickKr turn to the rest of you and yell:<h class='p'>"Dismount! We're relieved!"</h> <<if $TomitSplit>>Oh now he's going to listen!<</if>>\ You see the Wojewoda wait and look at your squad, because only a squad ''has'' survived, and he yells something to the many aides he has brought with him, who are on foot, after which they move in to lead the horses of your cavalrymen, presumably to rest and be groomed. Looking to your right, $nickKr seems to be waiting for you, right next to the burned wooden column. He has a tired, but clearly bright smile, reaching up to his eyes, as he looks at you, which you take as an invitation for him to thank you. You walk closer, when you hear a big croak coming from above you, lowering your head as if the Heavens are about to strike you down. You keep moving towards $nickKr and looking at him, you notice the wooden column is about to break. Summoning the last strength in your legs you run forward, and push him as hard as you can, out of the reach of the roof stretching over you. You feel a great weight fall upon you as you get knocked out.</p> <p>The last words you hear are:<h class='woj'>"Look at him covered in ash and soot. Poor $mcTitle."</h> From someone, kind of sounds like the Wojewoda. <p class='z'>" Hah, he's one of a kind, the lad. A real ''[[Hero|TomitSleep]] ''"</p> </p> </center>

<center><div class='gri'> Lady Katherine: "Let me do something for you, handsome." </div> <<set $hadBj++>> <p> She gestures for you to stand up, then looks to the tent's entrance, a flimsy flap, which would not protect you from any peekers, and tells you to move to her desk.</p> <div class='gri'> Lady Katherine:" Come here. ''Now!''"</div> <p>The commanding voice surprises you, but you obey silently anyway.</p> <video src="images/BB/Kat/KatBj1.webm" controls autoplay loop> Something's Wrong, dumbass. </video>\ <p>She undresses, gets on her knees, pushes you towards her desk, hugs your legs, and moves in to take a deep whiff of your manhood. Looking up at you with a deep smile, closed eyes and all, she seems to be very grateful for the company as of late.</p> <video src="images/BB/Kat/KatBj2.webm" controls autoplay loop> Something's Wrong, dumbass. </video>\ <p> Giving the tip a smooch, she decides she's tortured you enough and envelops your glans in the honeylike warmth of her mouth. Good thing you showered recently...</p> <video src="images/BB/Kat/KatBj3.webm" controls autoplay loop> Something's Wrong, dumbass. </video>\ <p> Picking up pace, she puts her hand on your dick, tongue swirling around your glans. Struggling to keep it in, you put your hand on her head, and cum down her throat. Choosing not to resist, she sinks deeper into your nether regions, and swallows your seed.</p> <p class='cb'>$mcNick:"Lady Katherine... hah.....hah..."</p> <p class='gri'>Lady Katherine:"That was sinful, <h class='pinkfont'>hihihi.</h>" </p> <p class='cb'>$mcNick:"It was, I suppose... I ought to go. Thank you very much. </p> <div class='gri'> Lady Katherine:"Take care of yourself, $mcNick. It would be a shame to lose you."</div> <p>You smile in response and take a few moments to just look at her dressing up once again. <b>After a little while,</b> you decide to:</p> [[Go for a walk|WojProp]] <<type 40ms start 30s class "foo bar">> or maybe... [[Return the Favor|KatBJAfter]] [[Take her|KatrEnd]] <</type>> </center>

<center><p><img src="images/BB/misc/NightCamp.webp" width=500 height = 350 align="right"> You've made it a nightly habit to take a walk around the outskirts of the camp, watching for deserters, some new piece of information about Tomit, and most importantly, infiltrators or brigands. That last one is unlikely, but one can never be too careful. Walking around this evening, you get to thinking. The bombardment has yielded many results. The walls of Tomit on this side of the city are down, lying in their own rubble. The Holliks have erected a weak wooden defense, or rather a wall, yet both they and you know that will be destroyed within two shots of cannon the moment your army decides to attack. This is just meant to keep their and your own soldiers from facing each other before necessary. Several small contingents of their men, sent out to repair the wall, have surrendered since, all of them Holliks, native to this land, and all of them have given you information about the city's defenses in some regard.</p> <p>What you've managed to piece together is that they felt misaligned, angry even with their Lords, or some of them at least, for allying with the Faizis. They seem to feel that you, being fellow Swialeni, are the natural ally and even protector to a certain degree. This is not an unpopular opinion even among their Nobility. They are a small realm, and so they tend to stick together no matter what, which is why the Grand Prince has managed to push through his desire to align with the Great Vizierlik even though there is not at all a small faction of Nobles who are firmly against it. It speaks to the very current of thought in Höll that they are still able to voice their discomfort with the direction of their Principality, considering this historically relevant uniformity in their society. Lady Katherine has not been of any use concerning information about the military aspect of this siege, but you've found her information about her brother, and general state politics of her country to be enlightening enough that you were able to conclude all of these peculiarities.</p> As you're about to return to your tent, you run into $nickKr. <p class='p'>$nickKr:"Good evening, $mcNick. Long time no talk."</p> <p class='cb'>$mcNick:"Good evening indeed. How are you doing?"</p> <p class='p'>$nickKr:"I'm alright, the Wojewoda sent me to get someone I trust."</p> <p class='cb'>$mcNick:"Oh?"</p> <p class='cb'>$mcNick:"Are you looking for someone? Should I send for someone?" You say with a cheeky smile...</p> <p class='p'>$nickKr:"Hahaha, no, I trust ''you''. Go see my father, please."</p> <p class='cb'>$mcNick:"Sure."</p> <p>You get walking immediately, thinking about $nickKr on the way. Ever since that charge at the beginning of the campaign, he has seemed to stay away from not just you, but everyone. Killing is tough business after all, and everyone deals with it in their own way. $nickKr has since grown as a man, and as a Noble, you've noticed him walk with more assuredness in his step, panic less at sudden orders, scarce though they may be in a siege. His father has even trusted him to join foragin runs from time to time, which surprised absolutely everyone. The scared baby-faced Noble is gone, and his place has been taken up by a slightly too proud Noble. Not that that is all that rare, honestly.</p> <p>You walk up to the Wojewoda's tent, seeing him inside. <img src="images/BB/misc/Wojewoda.webp" align="center"></p> <p class='woj'>Wojewoda:"''Good evening, $mcNick. I presume my son sent you...''" He says with a firm, but tired voice.</p> <p class='woj'>The Wojewoda continues:"I'll be brief. You'll need rest, because tomorrow morning we will attack Tomit. It's getting too cold out here." Wojewoda:"You're here because I have a special task for ''you''. My son is here, as you know, and is going to be part of the fighting tomorrow, and in the future. I need someone to make sure he is safe."</p> <p class='cb'>$mcNick:"Of course, Lord."</p> <p class='woj'>Wojewoda:"I don't want you to be his personal bodyguard at all times, I'm already taking care of that. But he's going to be assigned to you or vice versa every time either one of you are sent to a mission." Wojewoda:"He is my only child and my only son. I can't lose him, I'm sure you understand that. Can I count on you to keep my son and legacy safe?"</p> <p class='cb'>$mcNick:"''Absolutely.''"</p> <p class='woj'>Wojewoda:"Good. Dismissed." He says and gets back to what you assume are his war plans.</p> <p class='cb'>$mcNick:"Good night, Wojewoda."</p> <p class='woj'>Wojewoda looks up from his papers and smiles:"Good night, $mcTitle. And good luck."</p> <p>You head off to sleep, immediately noticing a return of the dread of battle. The shiver returns to your breath, even though you don't speak, except to tell Gareth good night. The black haze returns to your vision, to your brain, to your very soul. You don't panic intelligibly, as you did before, feeling that your experience has numbed you to fear at least a little bit. You do feel your spirit panic, however, your very being suddenly encapsulated in chains, urging you to run, to save yourself and live to see another day.<<if $Morale < 0>>\ You start to think about all the training you could've done, all the time you've wasted for these past couple of weeks, when you could've been swinging at fellow soldiers and vice versa. You then remember that training tires you, and all that would've accomplished is getting you to the fight less ready for it, which means your death is certain. <<else>> But you don't let that trouble you. You steel your mind and think about better things.<<if $KatKiss>> Like Kat and her wonderful lips.<</if>><</if>></p> <p>You wake, suddenly, not realizing immediately that it's already morning, get up and dress. You know the siege is about to end, or at least you hope it will, if it continues that means this attack is going to be unsuccessful. You gear up and walk out of your tent, colder than usual. Usually you wear more "armor" pieces than you're supposed to, to stave off the cold, but today you're gonna need mobility rather than warmth, since you're going to battle. You walk out to a camp already deep in preparation, the entire horde of men buzzing with activity. You glance at the wooden shacks erected at the former site of the wall, except you don't, because it seems the cannons have taken them down. You've gotten used to the beating of the cannons, the reverberations through the ground so much that you don't even wake up from them anymore.</p> <p>Seeing that Gareth's tent is empty, you make one last prayer to save your soul should something go awry, and walk down. Today, your role is that of a simple warrior, a Man-at-Arms to be specific. The fight will be contained enough that there will be very little commanding and mobile actions, but at least you don't have to be part of the brute force fist which will have to break through the bridge and into the city. You take your place among the nobles just off to the side on your half of the land separated by the moat and wait for the order to come. The heat of this mass of men all in one place is one comfort at least. Take that, winter.</p> [[Wait|BloodHot]] </center>

<<include increaseBy5>>

<<switch $s>>\ <<case "Mor" "mor">>\ <<set $Morale+=5>>\ <<case "P" "p">>\ <<set $Piety+=5>>\ <<case "D" "d">>\ <<set $Dread+=5>>\ <<case "F" "f">>\ <<set $Fame+=5>>\ <<case "C" "c">>\ <<set $Command+=5>>\ <<case "M" "m">>\ <<set $Martial+=5>>\ <<default>>\ Something went wrong. Skills have not been updated. \ <</switch>>\ <<unset $s>>\

<<switch $Shield>> <<case "Crude">>\ <img src="images/BB/misc/CrudeShield.webp" align=right width=125 height=125 > <<case "Wood">>\ <img src="images/BB/misc/Woodshield.webp" align=right width=125 height=125 > <<default>> ''No Shield'' <</switch>>

<<switch $s>>\ <<case "Mor" "mor">>\ <<set $Morale+=10>>\ <<case "P" "p">>\ <<set $Piety+=10>>\ <<case "D" "d">>\ <<set $Dread+=10>>\ <<case "F" "f">>\ <<set $Fame+=10>>\ <<case "C" "c">>\ <<set $Command+=10>>\ <<case "M" "m">>\ <<set $Martial+=10>>\ <<default>>\ Something went wrong. Skills have not been updated. <</switch>> <<unset $s>>

<<if $Rounds >20>> <<set $AmbushC to 2>><<goto MorozCaptured>><</if>> <<if $EHealth <=0>> <<set $AmbushC to 3>><<goto MorozCaptured>><</if>> <<set $EDiff to -10>><<set $Bonus to 0>>\ <<if $Health < 1>> <<goto DeathinBattle>> <</if>> <<link "Help">><<script>> Dialog.setup("Combat Explanation"); Dialog.wiki(Story.get("CombatExplanation").processText()); Dialog.open(); <</script>><</link>> <div> Your Health: <meter class="Health" id="Health" min="0" @value="$Health" max="100"></meter> $Health Your Form: <meter class="Form" id="form" min="0" value="100" @value="$Form" max="100" style="width:250px;height:25px;"></meter> $Form </div> STANCE:<<cycle "$stance" autoselect>>\ <<option "Defensive">>\ <<option "Balanced">>\ <<option "Aggressive">>\ <</cycle>>\ Your Action: [[Attack|AttackMor][$Action to "Attack"]] [[Cower|CowerMor][$Action to "Cower"]] [[Recover|RecoverMor][$Action to "Recover"]] [[Feint|FeintMor][$Action to "Feint"]] [[Shield Bash|BashMor][$Action to "Bash"]] <div> Enemy Health: <meter class="Health" id="Health" min="0" @value="$EHealth" max="100"></meter> $EHealth Enemy Form: <meter class="Form" id="form" min="0" value="100" @value="$EForm" max="100" style="width:250px;height:25px;"></meter> $EForm </div>

You've been struck down in the heat of battle and are taken to the afterlife. <img src="images/BB/misc/Death.webp">

''Health'' is your and your enemy's life. When a combatant's Health reaches 0, they lose and most likely die. ''Form'' is a combatant's combat form. It defines how well they're holding their shield hand up, and is the primary defense of any combatant. You want to wear your opponent's form down, and then hit them as they want to do to you. ''If a combatant's form is low, they're easy to hit, if it is high - they're hard to hit.'' You may recover it, but you have to spend a turn doing so, potentially not being able to if your dice roll is too low. ''Stances'' are what determines how much you focus on defending or attacking. Logically, ''Aggressive'' stance focuses on attacking less than defending. (Gives 20% bonus to attacks/feints, 20% penalty to defending attacks and feints) ''Defensive'' stance focuses on defending more than attacking, and (Gives 20% bonus to defending, 20% penalty to attacks and feints) ''Balanced'' gives no bonuses or penalties to either action. ''You may change your stance as many times as you want with no penalty to Form or Health, but after you choose your action for the turn is when it becomes pertinent.'' <h style="color:red;"> ''Martial'' </h> - gives you a bonus to all battle actions ( up to 80% increase ) and is vital to fighting. At the fighting menu, you can choose between multiple actions. \ <p>\ *Attack *Feint *Shield Bash *Recover *Cower </p> The first three check against enemy skill and equipment after rolling a random number up to 100. The game then checks the Roll, added along with your skill and equipment bonuses, against the enemy's and if you have a higher value, you will land your attack/feint/bash. If you choose Recover, you will also have to Roll. This Roll willthen check against a fixed value, also with some bonuses added on top, and if you are above the fixed value, you will recover your Form. If you choose Cower, there is no Roll during your turn. The Cower Action adds 35% to your defensive posture, meaning it adds 35 to the Roll when your enemy's turn comes. The enemy's turn consists of three possible actions: Attack, Feint and Recover. Your enemy will usually try to Recover when they're below 50% Form, and randomly choose whether to Attack or Feint you, somewhat tempered by your own Form, or lack thereof. The rules that apply to you apply to them as well. If your Form is high, they won't be able to hit you. If it's low, you're very vulnerable. ''CAUTION - THIS GAME ONLY PUTS YOU IN BATTLES AGAINST HIGHLY COMPETENT FIGHTERS. MOST OF THEM WILL BE ABLE TO DEFEAT YOU IN ONE OR TWO LANDED HITS.''

<div> Your Health: <meter class="Health" id="Health" min="0" @value="$Health" max="100"></meter> $Health Your Form: <meter class="Form" id="form" min="0" value="100" @value="$Form" max="100" style="width:250px;height:25px;"></meter> $Form </div> <p>\ <<if $stance eq "Aggressive">><<set $Bonus to 20>><</if>>\ <<set $Roll=random(Math.round(0.8*$Martial),100)>>\ <<if $Martial <50>><<set $Roll-=(Math.floor((50-$Martial)/10)*2)>>\ <<else>> <<set $Roll+=(Math.floor(($Martial-50)/10)*2)>>\ <</if>>\ <<set $Roll+=$EDiff>> Your final Roll is $Roll <<if $Roll > $EForm>> You've hit <<set $EHealth-=$Martial*$Roll/100+0.8*(100-$EForm)>> <<else>> Missed <</if>> </p> [[Continue|MorTurn][$Bonus=0]] <<set $EHealth to Math.round($EHealth)>> <<if $EHealth < 0>><<set $EHealth to 0>><</if>>\ <<if $EHealth > 100>> <<set $EHealth to 100>> <</if>>\ <div> Enemy Health: <meter class="Health" id="Health" min="0" @value="$EHealth" max="100"></meter> $EHealth Enemy Form: <meter class="Form" id="form" min="0" value="100" @value="$EForm" max="100" style="width:250px;height:25px;"></meter> $EForm </div>

<div> Your Health: <meter class="Health" id="Health" min="0" @value="$Health" max="100"></meter> $Health Your Form: <meter class="Form" id="form" min="0" value="100" @value="$Form" max="100" style="width:250px;height:25px;"></meter> $Form </div> <p> You take a deep breath, trying to reenergize yourself. <<if $stance eq "Defensive">> <<set $Bonus to 20>><</if>> <<set $Roll=random(Math.round(0.8*$Martial),100)>> <<set $Roll+=Math.round(($Martial/2)-5)+$Bonus>>\ <<if $Roll > 50 >> You succeed in taking a reprieve, despite the fierce battle.<<set $Form+=($Martial/100)*$Roll>> <<else>> Alas, you've only managed to lose some time, without gathering any energy.<</if>> </p> [[Continue|MorTurn][$Bonus=0]] <<if $Form <0>> <<set $Form to 0>> <</if>>\ <<if $Form >100>> <<set $Form to 100>> <</if>>\ <div> Enemy Health: <meter class="Health" id="Health" min="0" @value="$EHealth" max="100"></meter> $EHealth Enemy Form: <meter class="Form" id="form" min="0" value="100" @value="$EForm" max="100" style="width:250px;height:25px;"></meter> $EForm </div>

Your Health: <meter class="Health" id="Health" min="0" @value="$Health" max="100"></meter> $Health Your Form: <meter class="Form" id="form" min="0" value="100" @value="$Form" max="100" style="width:250px;height:25px;"></meter> $Form <<if $stance eq "Aggressive">> <<set $Bonus to 20>><</if>> <p>You throw a quick feint. <<set $Roll=random(Math.round(0.8*$Martial),100)>> \ <<if $Martial <50>><<set $Roll-=(Math.floor((50-$Martial)/10)*2)>> <<else>> <<set $Roll+=(Math.floor(($Martial-50)/10)*2)>> <</if>> $Roll The enemy <<if $Roll >= ($EDiff+50-(100-$EForm)) >> reacts.<<set $EForm-=$Roll>> <<else>> stays unmoving.<</if>> </p> [[Continue|MorTurn]] Enemy Health: <meter class="Health" id="Health" min="0" @value="$EHealth" max="100"></meter> $EHealth Enemy Form: <meter class="Form" id="form" min="0" value="100" @value="$EForm" max="100" style="width:250px;height:25px;"></meter> $EForm

<div> Your Health: <meter class="Health" id="Health" min="0" @value="$Health" max="100"></meter> $Health Your Form: <meter class="Form" id="form" min="0" value="100" @value="$Form" max="100" style="width:250px;height:25px;"></meter> $Form </div> <p>You smack your shield into the enemy. <<set $Roll=random(Math.round(0.8*$Martial),100)>> <<if $Martial <50>><<set $Roll-=(Math.floor((50-$Martial)/10)*2)>> <<else>> <<set $Roll+=(Math.floor(($Martial-50)/10)*2)>> <</if>> The enemy <<if $Roll >= (50-(100-$EForm)) >> is clearly knocked back.<<set $EForm=($EForm/2)-20>> <<else>> digs in and stays in place.<</if>> </p> [[Continue|MorTurn]] <div> Enemy Health: <meter class="Health" id="Health" min="0" @value="$EHealth" max="100"></meter> $EHealth Enemy Form: <meter class="Form" id="form" min="0" value="100" @value="$EForm" max="100" style="width:250px;height:25px;"></meter> $EForm </div>

<<if $EForm <0>><<set $EForm to 0>><</if>>\ Your Health: <meter class="Health" id="Health" min="0" @value="$Health" max="100"></meter> $Health Your Form: <meter class="Form" id="form" min="0" value="100" @value="$Form" max="100" style="width:250px;height:25px;"></meter> $Form <p> <<set $Roll to 0>> <<if $stance eq "Defensive">> <<set $Roll+=20>><</if>>\ <<if $stance eq "Aggressive">> <<set $Roll-=20>><</if>>\ <<if $Action eq "Cower">> <<set $Roll+=35>><</if>>\ <<if $EForm <50>> <<set $EAction to "Recover">>\ He tries to take a breath. <<set $ERoll=random(1,100)>><<switch $Action>> <<case "Cower" "Recover">> <<set $EForm+=$ERoll>>\ <<default>> <<if $ERoll > $Martial>> He manages to get his reprieve <<set $EForm+=$ERoll>><</if>> <</switch>> <<else>> <<set $ERoll to 0>> Looks like he's gonna try to attack <<set $ERoll=random(1,100)+(100-$Form)>> <<if $ERoll > 75>> <<set $EAction to "Attack">> <<else>> <<set $EAction to "Feint">> <</if>> <<set $ERoll=random(1,100)-$EDiff>> $EAction <<switch $EAction>> <<case "Attack">>\ <<if $ERoll > ($Form+$Martial+Math.floor($Roll/10))>> You feel the strike connect with you. <<set $Health-= ($ERoll-$EDiff-Math.round((100-$Form)/10))>> <<else>>You block his attack.<</if>> <<case "Feint">>\ <<if $ERoll > ($Martial+Math.floor($Roll/10))>> <<set $Form-= ($ERoll-$EDiff)>>It was a feint, and you reacted. <<else>> You don't react to his feints.<</if>>\ <<default>> The enemy takes a breath. You could do the same, uninterrupted. <</switch>> <</if>> </p> <<if $EForm < 0>><<set $EForm to 0>><</if>>\ <<if $EForm > 100>> <<set $EForm to 100>> <</if>> <<if $Form < 0>><<set $Form to 0>><</if>>\ <<if $Form > 100>> <<set $Form to 100>> <</if>> [[Continue|MorozBattle][$Rounds++]] Enemy Health: <meter class="Health" id="Health" min="0" @value="$EHealth" max="100"></meter> $EHealth Enemy Form: <meter class="Form" id="form" min="0" value="100" @value="$EForm" max="100" style="width:250px;height:25px;"></meter> $EForm

<p>The enemy sees the futility of his position and yields. <<if $AmbushC eq 3>>You've beaten a notable commander and fighter today.<</if>> <<if $AmbushC eq 2>>Your performance is of note and has resulted in the capture of an important figure.<</if>></p> [[Continue|FirstBattle]]

''World:'' <p><<link "History of the Realm">> <<script>> Dialog.setup("The Realm's History"); Dialog.wiki(Story.get("RealmHis").processText()); Dialog.open(); <</script>> <</link>> <<link "Rathina">> <<script>> Dialog.setup("Rathine Overview"); Dialog.wiki(Story.get("RathinaHis").processText()); Dialog.open(); <</script>> <</link>> <<link "Vallona">> <<script>> Dialog.setup("Valonese Overview"); Dialog.wiki(Story.get("VallHis").processText()); Dialog.open(); <</script>> <</link>> \ <<link "Höll">> <<script>> Dialog.setup("Höll Overview"); Dialog.wiki(Story.get("HollHis").processText()); Dialog.open(); <</script>> <</link>> \ <<link "Atmanate">> <<script>> Dialog.setup("Atmanate Overview"); Dialog.wiki(Story.get("AtmHis").processText()); Dialog.open(); <</script>> <</link>> \ <<link "Faiz">> <<script>> Dialog.setup("Faiz Overview"); Dialog.wiki(Story.get("FaizHis").processText()); Dialog.open(); <</script>> <</link>> \ <<link "Gelli and the Mountain people">> <<script>> Dialog.setup("Others - Overview"); Dialog.wiki(Story.get("GelHis").processText()); Dialog.open(); <</script>> <</link>> \ </p> ''Maps:'' <p>\ <<link "Continent">> <<script>> Dialog.setup("Map of the Continent"); Dialog.wiki(Story.get("ContMap").processText()); Dialog.open(); <</script>> <</link>> <<link "Duchies">> <<script>> Dialog.setup("Map of Duchies and Counties"); Dialog.wiki(Story.get("ProvincesMap").processText()); Dialog.open(); <</script>> <</link>> <<link "South">> <<script>> Dialog.setup("Map of the Southern Peninsula"); Dialog.wiki(Story.get("SouthMap").processText()); Dialog.open(); <</script>> <</link>> <<link "Höll">> <<script>> Dialog.setup("Map of Höll"); Dialog.wiki(Story.get("HollMap").processText()); Dialog.open(); <</script>> <</link>> </p> <<include "CharacterWiki">>

<<link "Return">> <<script>> Dialog.setup("Encyclopedia"); Dialog.wiki(Story.get("Encyclopedia").processText()); Dialog.open(); <</script>> <</link>> <p>The Kingdom of Swiatla first began around 500 years ago. It was formed out of the many broken up states of Swiatlans, by the House of Wist. At first, it started as a union of the many feudal lords, princes, barons and counts, who all pledged their allegiance to the Grand Duke, Izidor the Fierce. Thus was born the Grand Duchy of Swiatla. During his reign, he earned the title of Wojewoda, which only added to the grandeur which had followed him wherever he went. Having been surrounded by Swialeni on almost all sides except a portion of the western border, his reign was marked by a series of unifying wars. Sometimes, diplomacy would convince the other sides to join without bloodshed, but the undeveloped and unenlightened times rarely allowed for this phenomenon. The Kingdom of Swiatla was first formed less than 500 years ago, with it's borders similar to those of today. It didn't stretch all the way down to current Kellistra or Höll, not even east towards Rathina, but it was similar in shape and size to the current borders.</p>\ <p>For some two to three hundred years, this Kingdom, while certainly one of the more powerful on the Continent, it was marked with many plagues, succession disputes, followed by wars over succession. Brother against Brother, and similar. All these things made it a relatively unremarkable presence to the other states on the Continent, having been able to mind their own business and regain whatever the Swiatlans conquered from them, that privilege almost guaranteed by the inner turmoil which had wracked the Kingdom every generation.</p>\ <p>Then, just less than two hundred years ago, King Yaroslav the Golden was born. He excelled in diplomacy, was a remarkable warrior and military strategist, an ''outstanding'' statesman, having made advances in the administrative hierarchy of the Kingdom, and manifested what is called the period of Enlightenment. The Kingdom had just started recovering from the succession war of his two older brothers, one having died during the war, and the other died of his wounds shortly afterwards. His accession to the throne was unpredictable and scary, yet he turned the kingdom into the powerhouse it truly always should've been. The focus of the Kingdom during King Yaroslav I Wist's reign was on diplomacy, economy and education. He had even arranged for the then Kingdom of Rathine to pledge allegiance to his House and thereby opened access to the sea. That was something the Swiatlan Kingdom had struggled with doing for the entirety of it's existence. Seafaring trade became a new source of revenue, which brought even more riches into the Capital, crystallizing the Period of Enlightenment into a real Golden Age. The Crown Capital had shared much with it's citizens during those Golden Years and thus became an even more populous place with even better educated people who had become even more loyal to the Kingdom. The useless and rowdy were expelled from the urban areas, and often became bandits, harassing the smaller and weaker on the periphery of the realm. King Yaroslav had helped by sending men to these places, and while it did help, these forces had quickly turned out to be stretched out thin. The bandits were numerous, would often inflict casualties on the heavily armed and heavily trained men, who were hard to replace. To offset this trouble, the Kingdom started hiring men - Swialeni fleeing north from the ever-expanding Vizierlik. These men often had experience in war, were numerous and easily equipped. They are what became the Lancers.</p>\ <p>Light cavalry at first, designed for one specific purpose. To drive sharp sticks through bandits at high speeds. Soon they started to be utilized in proper fighting formations and in wars, and put on more and more armor. And so arose the Order of the Golden Lance.</p>\ <p>During the reign of King Yaroslav the Golden, fighting had been almost non-existent on any large scale. Skirmishes with bandits were certainly common. Gelli invasions and scuffles with Faizis were commonplace, but they never amounted to any large-scale battle or war. So the Kingdom grew decadent. When the King died, the Golden Age was thought to continue, to surpass him. Alas, his son and the Rathineans had a lot to argue about. This was the moment, about a dozen decades ago, when your Great Grandfather made the mistake of choosing the safer option. Upon Yaroslav the Golden's death, the Kingdom of Rathine declared their sovereign, the Rathinean King to be the King of all Swiatla, and failing that they declared the Kingdom of Rathine would become independent again. This, as well as a good portion of the surrounding lands of your Barony, though then it was a small County, had all taken their side against the House of Wist. The House was entirely surrounded, cut off from the trade which had made the House Golden, as it has been called ever since Yaroslav's reign. It was a sure victory for the rebels, and it certainly showed on the battlefield. The rebels had faced some losses, but overall the fighting was in their favor, slowly but surely approaching the capital of Snovsk. That is, until the Wist House, sat down and negotiated a marriage between Yaroslav's son Robert, the King of Swiatla and the King of Rathina's sister. This had been done separately from the rest of the rebelling lords and was rightly seen as a betrayal. The marriage cemented an alliance and union of the two former Kingdoms, though the Rathine Royal dynasty, the House of Borva, was allowed to retain sovereignty of some form, it's House Head remaining the Knyaz of Rathina at all times. This was probably a concession made by the Wist House, because of their poor military performance up to that point. With this one diplomatic move, the rebellion had turned from almost a guaranteed success to a sure failure. Your Great Grandfather, who had only chosen the option he chose because of practical reasons, having been ultimately fairly loyal to the Wist House, despite the banditry they had brought into his lands, had been rewarded for this by being allowed to remain a Baron inside of the Kingdom, instead of the Count he previously was. And this is where the Kingdom stands nowadays. It's borders were changed drastically during this war. All of Kellistra was lost, and the realm had little manpower, and honestly will to fight to take it back. Since then, the only border change was the retaking of Kellistra, and that only happened after half a century or more. No other wars, internal or external have taken hold of the Kingdom. </p>\ <<link "Return">> <<script>> Dialog.setup("Encyclopedia"); Dialog.wiki(Story.get("Encyclopedia").processText()); Dialog.open(); <</script>> <</link>>

<<link "Return">> <<script>> Dialog.setup("Encyclopedia"); Dialog.wiki(Story.get("Encyclopedia").processText()); Dialog.open(); <</script>> <</link>><p>Rathine, or Rathina, is a Grand Duchy in the East of the Kingdom. It's history is one replete with many, many battles against hardy mountainous raiders, while struggling to repel the more recent invasions from Faiz. Their nation has had a much too similar history to that of the Swiatlans and have, as such, decided to unify into one Kingdom.</p> <p>\ Prior to this, Rathina was a Kingdom of it's own, and it's borders remain unchanged within the new unitary Kingdom of Swiatla. However, it is now recognized only as a Grand Duchy, rather than a Kingdom in it's own right.</p> <p>\ The Rathine Royal Dynasty, Borva, married their eldest child and daughter during the last Swiatlan civil war, to the then head of House Wist, th. Their child, called Yaroslav, like his grandfather would be born as a symbol of the unity of the two Kingdoms.</p> <p>Rathineans worship the same Almighty as you do, but they do so in different ways. Whereas the Church of the Almighty is the highest and most prominent institution in the Kingdom, the Monastic Order of Bozhyts is such in Rathina. This institution focuses it's followers more on the Almighty's Earthly trials and challenges. Actually holding them to the Creed of Poverty, of the Body's Power, and so on. This, in conjunction with the history of Rathina, has made their people some of the fiercest warriors in the Unified Kingdom.</p> <<link "Return">> <<script>> Dialog.setup("Encyclopedia"); Dialog.wiki(Story.get("Encyclopedia").processText()); Dialog.open(); <</script>> <</link>>

<<link "Return">> <<script>> Dialog.setup("Encyclopedia"); Dialog.wiki(Story.get("Encyclopedia").processText()); Dialog.open(); <</script>> <</link>> <p>Vallona, also called the Valonese Republic, is a seafaring trade republic. It's prominence came along with the rapid rise of the Vizierlik, having been selling them and supplying copious amounts of firepower since before the Kingdom of Swiatla ever even encountered them.</p> <p>This would make them natural enemies of every realm from the former states of the Continent where the Vizierlik now reigns supreme, to the northest reaches of Swiatla. However, their trading influence has been such that they are protected by almost everyone.</p> <p> The Kingdom of Swiatla needs them for the supply of steel, sometimes gold too. The Faizis need them because of guns and powder. The Atmanate doesn't have an industry of it's own, so it relies on trade with the Valonese for practically everything. Even some of the Gelli tribes, who don't even have a border to share with the Republic, trade through the Atmanate for various goods, from food to weapons to instruments. All in all, the Valonese Republic has gotten a reputation for being truly unique among it's peers, partly for it's strange hierarchy, being the only Republic around, partly for it's consistent neutrality and consequential splendor. Many times have surrounding feuding states gone to Valona to negotiate on neutral grounds... and have a good time as well.</p> <<link "Return">> <<script>> Dialog.setup("Encyclopedia"); Dialog.wiki(Story.get("Encyclopedia").processText()); Dialog.open(); <</script>> <</link>>

<<link "Return">> <<script>> Dialog.setup("Encyclopedia"); Dialog.wiki(Story.get("Encyclopedia").processText()); Dialog.open(); <</script>> <</link>> <p>Höll is another Swialeni Realm, much like Rathine and Swiatla. It's language, traditions and customs, however, have been heavily influenced by the raiding peoples from the High Mountains, who have been all but extinguished in the territories of Höll. Unlike the Rathineans, the Höll people have assimilated the ways of these people throughout the last five hundred years, during which time they've picked up many of their phrases and behaviour. This makes them a bit strange to your and the Rathine people, despite being closer to Swiatlans in terms of religion, than the Rathineans.</p> \ <p> They also worship the Almighty, in the exact same way as you do. With the exception of having their own Church, of course.</p> <<link "Return">> <<script>> Dialog.setup("Encyclopedia"); Dialog.wiki(Story.get("Encyclopedia").processText()); Dialog.open(); <</script>> <</link>>

<<link "Return">> <<script>> Dialog.setup("Encyclopedia"); Dialog.wiki(Story.get("Encyclopedia").processText()); Dialog.open(); <</script>> <</link>> <p> The Gelli people aren't a state or Realm in and of themselves. It simply refers to the humongous amounts of different Gelli tribes and chiefdoms, and potentially baronies or larger states that exist in the mostly unexplored forest areas to the northwest of your home. Your $mcTitley actually is the border of the Kingdom in it's northest reach, and has often been the source of new faces, hostile, trading and friendly ones.</p> <p> The High Mountains is a mountainous state of Gelli people, who were so numerous at one point in the distant past, they stretched through most of the Continent, certainly through much of the Swiatlan Kingdom. They've since been driven into the mountains by the Rathineans, and bred out of the lands of Höll. This has made the ones who've chosen to retain their identity angry, bitter fighters who come down every now and then to fight the Rathineans. They often do enjoy a friendly relationship with the Holliks and that has been a point of contention between the Rathine and Höll for decades now.</p> <<link "Return">> <<script>> Dialog.setup("Encyclopedia"); Dialog.wiki(Story.get("Encyclopedia").processText()); Dialog.open(); <</script>> <</link>>

<<link "Return">> <<script>> Dialog.setup("Encyclopedia"); Dialog.wiki(Story.get("Encyclopedia").processText()); Dialog.open(); <</script>> <</link>> <p>The Atmanate is very much an ugly duckling among the Realms you know of. It doesn't have a name. It's called the Atmanate because it's ruler's title is the Atman. The people themselves are Swialeni mostly, like your own, yet they don't really care much for it. Their allegiance so far has been with the Valonese, as some sort of bodyguard. That actually seems to be the only practical and logical thing about their realm - the fact that they are able to see the Atmanate's dependence on the Valonese and actually stick to it. They've tried many times to make incursions into the Gelli forests, which the Atmanate is separated from by a thick wall of snowy mountains. They've actually succeeded multiple times, but you don't know why, or what they had achieved by it. Other than that, they've only managed to repel most of the invasions the realms to their west have tried to enact upon them, and failed to retain the lands they took from Swiatla during the last Civil War.</p> <<link "Return">> <<script>> Dialog.setup("Encyclopedia"); Dialog.wiki(Story.get("Encyclopedia").processText()); Dialog.open(); <</script>> <</link>>

<<link "Return">> <<script>> Dialog.setup("Encyclopedia"); Dialog.wiki(Story.get("Encyclopedia").processText()); Dialog.open(); <</script>> <</link>> <p> Initially a band of nomadic tribes, who managed to unite with even more tribes and then conquer the Tingay desert. Their new access to the seas gained them access to new technologies, new enemies and new territories to conquer. This had not worked out well for them, initially. They'd suddenly found themselves crashing into a wall of pissed off Swialeni and Gelli, who had decided promptly that fighting the all-too foreign invaders was a much more prudent way to spend their time than to fight each other, as they had still been doing centuries ago. The Faiz Sultanate, which had been it's name and structure at the time, swiftly sought changes to counter the abysmal losses which had been accruing in what seemed like increasingly unnecessary ventures into the Continent. They found the inspiration for these changes in Vallona. Vallona had just established itself as the Republic which it still is, and the Faiz Tribes were so enamored by it's existence that they put their own Sultan to the sword and formed what is known as the Great Vizierlik.</p> <p>Similarly to the Republic, the Vizierlik has an electoral commission, except in Faiz, the Prince Electors are exactly that. The Princes of the Tribes which united Faiz. Their Houses males inherit positions on the commission and together, that commission chooses a Great Vizier every three years out of the House Heads of the tribes. This Great Vizier is absolute ruler of the Realm, until there is a no-confidence vote or 3 years have passed, at which point he may be elected again.</p> <p>This newfound internal strength, coupled with the discovery of the destructive power of cannons and guns, have allowed the Faizis a truly meteoric rise to the most powerful realm in this half of the Continent. This half of the Continent means of course, they have since conquered those Gelli and Swialeni peoples. The only real opponents it has had have been it's own size and the Kingdom of Swiatla. The former Kingdom of Rathina has only been able to repel it through great battle and much help from Swiatla. It's union with Swiatla was seen by many as a necessary step to ensure the security of their own people. Nowadays the worry is whether the Tarak Emirate might join up with the Vizierlik to attack the Kingdom from the East.</p> <<link "Return">> <<script>> Dialog.setup("Encyclopedia"); Dialog.wiki(Story.get("Encyclopedia").processText()); Dialog.open(); <</script>> <</link>>

<center><img src="images/BB/misc/Gareth.jpg" width="300" height="450"> <p>\ Gareth - Your second-in-command, your friend and your father's Master of Arms. He is the son of a farmer, though one capable of fighting, as was noted by the rest of the levy during his time of service. It seems the apple doesn't fall far from the tree, as Gareth, his only son, has managed to distinguish himself as the most capable young fighter in your home, so much so that he ended up becoming your father's Guard captain. He had not been very satisfied with that title either, it seems, as a couple of years ago, during a skirmish with the Gelli from the north, he earned the title of Master of Arms. The first one your family has had since your Great Grandfather's time. With all that said, he is a proper lad, who's always had your back and whose presence you've found valuable from the very first time you met. </p> </center>

<center>\ <img src="images/BB/Kat/KatRed.webp"><p>\ Lady Katherine, a noble and sister of a Baron, though one far richer than you or your father, being much closer to the capital of his Realm. You met during the Siege of Tomit. She is a beautiful and clearly cunning woman. <<if $lkrel >=15>> She's confessed her disagreement with her Realm's decision to attack Swiatla.<</if>> She has a somewhat clumsy maid called Agatha. Your relationship is at - $lkrel </p> </center>

''Characters:'' <p>\ <<link "Gareth">> <<script>> Dialog.setup("Gareth"); Dialog.wiki(Story.get("GarethWiki").processText()); Dialog.open(); <</script>> <</link>> \ <<if $lkrel >= 15 >> <<link "Lady Katherine">> <<script>> Dialog.setup("Lady Katherine"); Dialog.wiki(Story.get("KatWiki").processText()); Dialog.open(); <</script>> <</link>><</if>> \ <<link "Wojewoda">> <<script>> Dialog.setup("Wojewoda"); Dialog.wiki(Story.get("WojewodaWiki").processText()); Dialog.open(); <</script>> <</link>> <<link "Baron Tern">> <<script>> Dialog.setup("Baron Tern"); Dialog.wiki(Story.get("BaronTernWiki").processText()); Dialog.open(); <</script>> <</link>> \ <<if $Arel >= 0 >> <<link "Anette">> <<script>> Dialog.setup("Anette"); Dialog.wiki(Story.get("AnetteWiki").processText()); Dialog.open(); <</script>> <</link>><</if>> <<if $BertholdWiki>>\ <<link "Berthold">><<script>> Dialog.setup("Berthold Banas of Chernit"); Dialog.wiki(Story.get("BertholdWiki").processText()); Dialog.open(); <</script>> <</link>><</if>>\ <<if $IsobelWiki>>\ <<link "Isobel">><<script>> Dialog.setup("Isobel of Alpyo"); Dialog.wiki(Story.get("IsobelWiki").processText()); Dialog.open(); <</script>> <</link>><</if>>\ \ \ \ \ </p>

<center> <p>Walking back up to her, you collide your face with hers vigorously.</p> <<set $hadCun++>> <h class='gri'>Lady Katherine:"$mcNick, what ar...OH!"</h> <p> You kiss her sentence away, re-uncover her breasts, and move her to the desk. Then you get to munching.</p> <video src="images/BB/Kat/Katlick1.webm" controls autoplay loop> Something's Wrong, dumbass. </video>\ <video src="images/BB/Kat/Katlick2.webm" controls autoplay loop> Something's Wrong, dumbass. </video>\ <p> Without any experience pleasuring women whatsoever, you still manage to give her a good enough time that she actually starts making sounds. Sounds which she most definitely should not be heard making.</p> <h class='cb'> $mcNick:"Quiet, WOMAN!" You whisper-shout.</h> <h class='gri'> Lady Katherine:"What do you mean 'quiet'? It's your fault I'm making these sounds!"</h> <h class='cb'> $mcNick:"Just busy yourself with something else."</h> <video src="images/BB/Kat/KatLick3.webm" controls autoplay loop> Something's Wrong, dumbass. </video>\ <p> Seems there's no keeping her quiet. Whatever, you suppose it's more a compliment to you, even if it ''is'' a dangerous one.</p> <video src="images/BB/Kat/KatLick4.webm" controls autoplay loop> Something's Wrong, dumbass. </video>\ <h class='gri'>Lady Katherine:"Okay, okay, we're fine..."</h> <h class='cb'>$mcNick:"Are you sure? I don't feel done." </h> <h class='gri'>Lady Katherine:"Yes... phew....Yes, but I'm done." </h> <h class='cb'>$mcNick:"Well then.... that was ''sinful'' hehehe."</h> <h class='gri'>Lady Katherine:"Seems I made a good choice to bathe this morning. Now that would've been sinful. Now get out of here, handsome. Somebody will catch you, if you're reckless like that in the future."</h> <<set $lkrel+=5>> <h class='cb'>$mcNick:"Very well, my Lady. I shan't keep you any longer." With a good night kiss, you go out.</h> [[Continue|WojProp]] </center>

<center> <p>Lustful Rage clouding your mind, you grab and throw the Lady down onto the bedding. All of your beastly spirit screams to bend her over and do her like a dog. And so you do</p> <h class='gri'> Lady Katherine:"$mcNick! You're being rough! $mcNick! Please! Calm down!"</h> <h class='cb'> $mcNick:"''Quiet!''" You say with a slap to her bottom.</h> <video src="images/BB/Kat/KatREnd1.webm" controls autoplay loop> Something's Wrong, dumbass. </video>\ <p> True to your Beastly, Primal nature, you've bent her over and copulated like the animal that you are. She, in turn, has accepted and submitted to the Man who has just left a baby in her womb. Or at least, you hope that you have. Because now, that all is said and done, you fear what you've just become. You've hurt a woman, one that is nothing but the absolute manifestation of beauty and genteel. You get dressed quickly, give a kiss to your conquest. She doesn't even dare lift her head, and waits in a fetal position as you give her a taste of your lips. <i>What have I done?</i>, you think...</p> <p>Moving back to your tent, $nickKr intercepts you on your way, but you quickly rebuff him, you've something important to do. You walk back into your tent, strip your shirt off, look at the crest of your House, which you've disgraced with your utterly demonic actions, and drive a sword through your own Beastly heart.</p> <img src="images/BB/misc/Crest.png" width=500 height=520> <h class='cb1'> YOU'RE DEAD.</h> </center>

<center>\ <div><p>\ <img src="images/BB/misc/TavernTom.webp" align=left>\ You lie awake, groggy from the impromptu nap you've just taken, somewhat dazed by the light penetrating the room. Where are you? There's a couple of tables stacked close just to the side of the entrance and a cacophony of small, light, barely audible moans. Are you in Hell? Looking to the right, the only thing you see is men on makeshift beds and tables being tended to by the warmaids. Worse, then. You're in an infirmary. How did you end up here? </p></div>\ <div class='gri'> Lady Katherine:"Good morning, $mcNick"</div> <div class='cb'> $mcNick:"''Almighty take you'', woman, you scared the life out of me!"</div> <div class='gri'> Lady Katherine:"Oh my, apologies, It had not been my intention to do so... hihihi" She says, and then stares at you affectionately in silence for a moment.</div> <div class='gri'> Lady Katherine:"You're the talk of the town, you know... you ''and'' your sergeant." </div> <p>\ You think for a second. What did ''he'' do now? You've been asleep, and sure the knockout must have been an embarassment, but it's hardly worth any relevant amount of gossip. So Gareth must've messed something up <i>royally</i>, as ironic as that may be. </p>\ <div class='cb'>$mcNick:"Alright what did he do? Is it bad or really bad?" </div> <div class='gri'>Lady Katherine:"Heeeheee, what? Oh, it seems the physicians were right... you did get a blow to the head." You close your eyes as you feel a hand gently caress your head. </div> <div class='cb'>$mcNick:"The physicians... what did I hurt? I mean, how hurt am I? And where? And what happened? Did Gareth and I mess something up" </div> <div class='gri'> Lady Katherine:"You're fine, there's no bumps or soft spots on your head, you might just be groggy still. The master over there said you passed out more from exhaustion than harm, but he couldn't refuse a Noble medical attention." Unfortunately, she has stopped touching your head. </div> <div class='cb'> $mcNick:"We were trapped..... I remember now.... We and the enemy were pressed against each other." </div> <p>At your saying this, the mask which she carries on her face constantly, suffers a slight tremble, just big enough for you to notice. Is she holding tears back? You lift yourself off the bed a little, and sit up. </p> <div class='cb'> $mcNick:"L... Lady Katherine? Is your... Do you know anything about your brother?" You say and bite your lip in anticipation. </div> <div class='gri'> She smiles solemnly and says:"Yes.... he's fine... it's just... It gets hard watching... I feel he... Nevermind. Apologies, it's improper for a lady to lose her composure." </div> <p>You reach out and open your hand to comfort the Lady. You might be in an infirmary, but you're a man, and what's more, a Noble Man, you ought to provide reassurance to Ladies all around. </p> <div class='gri'> Lady Katherine:"Let's forget about all of this sobbing, and whining. I ought to do a check up on you, I promised Master Savos. And Gareth might return any moment. He hasn't left your side, you know..." </div> <div class='cb'> $mcNick:"Where is he now?" </div> <<if $GarethRe>> <div class='gri'> Lady Katherine:"I told him I would stay here for a little bit, while he takes a break."</div> <<else>> <div class='gri'> Lady Katherine:"I told him to go and take a break, but I suspect he and Agatha are running around somewhere." </div><</if>> <div class='gri'> Lady Katherine:"That was almost an hour ago, so I suspect he's going to return soon."</div> <div class='cb'> $mcNick:"How do ''you'' fare, my lady? Wartime isn't particularly accomodating for a Lady, I'm sure."</div> <div class='gri'> Lady Katherine:"Well... you seem fine, and I'm no longer fond of hanging around you smelly, moaning men anymore, so I'll be off. Stay in bed for now, and wait for Gareth."</div> <p>Ooof, suppose you hit a sore spot. How do you always mess things up?</p> <div class='gri'> Lady Katherine:"Oh and... thank you. For asking, and for caring. Call upon me sometime, my family's residence can be found in the Upper District." She bends down and kisses you on the forehead. </div> <div><p>\ <img src="images/BB/Kat/walking.gif" width=130 height=230 align=left>\ You watch her walk away, not sure if she really is teasing you with her naked bottom or if you're simply still delirious. Anyhow, not the time and most certainly not the place for that. Laying back down, you interlock your fingers onto your stomach and look up at the ceiling. Could it be true? You, a hero? The talk of the Realm? This is surprising, but not unwelcome. Looking back only a few months, you can't imagine how you felt so scared and puny in the first days of the campaign. The recent months had likely weakened your already non-existing martial experience. Perhaps because of the time you spent sitting around on your ass during the Siege is why you had such a tough time during the actual assault. You grew decadent and this is your penance. The buzzing pain in the edge of your skull is your punishment. Why always so sad? You never let yourself calm... only when you're in the presence of Kat... how fine she was. Perhaps this is exactly the nature of man. Fearful fighting along your tribe, your faction, your Kingdom, and calm loving behaviour alongside your woman. </p></div>\ <div class='s'>Gareth:"Good morning, m'lord."</div> <div class='cb'>$mcNick:<i>Hmmm?</i> "Hello, Gareth... I didn't see you there."</div> <div class='s'>Gareth:"Did you get to talk with the Lady, m'lord?"</div> <div class='cb'>$mcNick:"I did, but nevermind that. Gareth, I'm told we're heroes. Is this even remotely true?"</div> <div class='s'>Gareth:"Oh... M'Lord, yes! Very much. I just spent the night in a tavern near the Upper District, where all the proper veterans reside. I also got called upon by the Knyaz. He congratulated me and asked after you, I don't know what else he wanted, he said there's a swanky deceased Noble's residence in the Upper District waiting for you. But I understand he wanted something else, he didn't tell me though."</div> <div class='cb'>$mcNick:"Okay, okay, Gareth. Thank you for the report. Sounds like we've lots to do. Go inform Master Savos? I think? Tell 'im I'm fine, and I'm leaving." </div> [[Wait for Gareth|TOMITEXPLORE]] </center>\

<div style=" color:red; border-radius:3px; position:absolute; top:0; left:0; bottom:0; right:0; height:40%; width:100%; ">\ You lie You lie You lie You lie You lie You lie You lie You lie You lie You lie You lie You lie You lie You lie You lie You lie You lie You lie You lie You lie You lie You lie You lie You lie You lie You lie You lie You lie You lie You lie You lie You lie You lie You lie You lie You lie You lie You lie You lie You lie You lie You lie You lie You lie You lie You lie You lie You lie You lie You lie You lie You lie You lie You lie You lie You lie You lie You lie You lie You lie You lie You lie You lie You lie You lie You lie You lie You lie You lie You lie You lie You lie You lie You lie You lie You lie You lie You lie You lie You lie You lie You lie You lie You lie You lie You lie You lie You lie You lie You lie You lie You lie You lie You lie You lie You lie You lie You lie You lie You lie You lie You lie You lie You lie You lie You lie You lie You lie You lie You 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<center> <p><img src="images/BB/misc/MedievalCity1.webp" height=330 width=230 align=left>\ After a brief waiting period, you step out of the makeshift infirmary to a scarred city. One which still lives, albeit only through the bustling activity of the occupying forces. Your Realm's forces. The streets are muddy, many of the buildings either charred or outright burned, and the language you hear around you, though the Höll and Swiatlan language are quite similar, the one surrounding you is clearly Swiatlan. There aren't any bodies around, fortunately, though you expected to see some of those as well. Looking around, you quickly realize that the tavern is just down the street from the main square where the Meatballs had fought. In fact, you're closest to where Gareth had taken up a position with the contingent which had followed him to secure the left flank. </p> Random Soldier:"~~It's $mcNick~~" <p> Seems you really are a bit of a Hero, now. You smile and wave subtly to the soldier to the right, while fixing your hair up with the left hand. $mcNick is not just a warrior, but a handsome warrior, they'll say. Turning curiously, you see Gareth waving as well. You suspect the common soldiery will know him even better, having the opportunity to socialize with him daily.</p> Soldier:"Glory to ye, Lord Czarny!" Soldier:"Hurrah!" Soldier:"Good Day, Sirs!" <div class='cb'>$mcNick:"Yes, yes, hello there! Hello everyone."</div> <div class='cb'>$mcNick:"Sirs? Have you been Knighted, Gareth?"</div> <div class='s'>Gareth:"Not yet."</div> <div class='cb'>$mcNick:"Yet? Does that mean you know that you will be?" </div> <div class='s'>Gareth:"No, but I think we will be... both of us."</div> <div class='cb'>$mcNick:"Hmmmm...... interesting."</div> <p>Walking a bit further, the two of you continue to come across men walking around, fixing up houses, harassing the locals and similar, until you walk up to the Upper District. There are two guards on each side of a fairly large and beautifully ornamented gate, who promptly nod to the two of you, signaling that you are allowed to proceed. This part of the city looks entirely different. It's clean, largely untouched by the battle, and seems to have taken in large amounts of the men and women native to this city. Or at least, the three mansions just at the entrance to the District have the distinctly Höllish accented speech showering their surroundings. Seems the nation of Höll truly takes care of it's own. This is a trait you've heard exists among the Swialeni before, one that gets particularly strong as you move further south, and deeper into the Vizierlik's territory. It's a bit of information you've had the privilege to hear from the various tribesmen from the forested homeland of the Gelli peoples. Though, they suggested that your Kingdom, the Swiatlan one, is one which exhibits this trait. This has always been surprising to you and you don't exactly feel as if this is correct. But then again, you've only ever known your own Kingdom, and even then, only your own poverty-stricken $mcTitley. </p> <div class='z'>Knyaz Borva:"Czarny! The Black Baron himself! It's good to see you my boy."</div> <div class='cb'>$mcNick:"Hello, fierce Knyaz! Umm...Black Baron? Am I to understand this as an insult or compliment, Sir?"</div> <div class='z'>Knyaz Borva:"Hah! Well... I don't think you had the opportunity to see for yourself, but after the scrap two days ago, you were covered in blood and soot so much you looked like a walking deadman. This has earned you a real haughty title, young Lord. Anyone would be jealous of it." Knyaz Borva:"And that's exactly what I've been looking for you for. You've done well and I've secured you a house just down this street. You may use it as your home, for as long as you stay here, and as long as the army is still in Höll. It comes to you as bounty for the outstanding performance during the assault yesterday. Make no mistake, boy. Without your actions, the army would've been decimated, victory or not, and prevented from continuing in the larger campaign. The Wojewoda and the King both want to thank you and it will be done tonight, on Tomit's Hill of Victory. As you might've seen, there are a lot of natives in the Upper District, and we're making keep them safe from our boys. The King and the Wojewoda don't want a feud between Swiatla and the Holliks. Make sure to remember that.</div> <div class='cb'>$mcNick:"Excuse me?"</div> <div class='z'>Knyaz Borva:"The Lady?<<if $lkrel>=15>> She was asking about you after the fight.<</if>>"</div> <div class='cb'>$mcNick:"Well... she is not ''my'' Lady."</div> <div class='z'>Knyaz Borva:"Heh, alright blushing Baron. Did you get all of what I said earlier?"</div> <div class='cb'>$mcNick:"Yes, sir." You snap to attention.</div> <div class='z'>Knyaz Borva:"Alright, good. See you tonight."</div> <p><img src="images/BB/misc/Manor.webp" align=left width=250 height=200>You walk further till you reach the indicated spot, surprised to see that it isn't just a swanky house, but a veritable Manor. One which trumps your father's Baronial Palace. It's going to be far too big for just you and Gareth, and you might even be forced to pay servants to maintain it. You suppose it's not that surprising at all, Tomit is one of the richest cities you know of. It's position, geographically as well as politically, have allowed Faizi and Swiatlan resources to pour in, unafraid of it being sold to the other side. It finally has broken, this cycle of enrichment, because of their attack on the Kingdom of Swiatla. One could even say you've simply come to take what's already yours.</p> [[And it is indeed mine|TOMITPROMOTION][$Piety-=5]] [[Perhaps I ought to use this manor as a way to earn some more money|TOMITPROMOTION][$gold+=100]] [[I shall earn many more|TOMITPROMOTION][$Ambition++]] [[Could I, too let the war-stricken use this place to relax?|TOMITPROMOTION][$Piety+=5]] </center>

<<set $Arel to 0>>\ <center>\ <p><img src="images/BB/misc/TomitNight.webp" width=400 height=290 align=left> Evening has fallen and you've just finished resting after a long day of settling into your new home and getting to know the place, for fear of being caught unawares by invaders. It's got all the desired utilities and functions of a real home, a proper kitchen, two rooms with beds in them, not including servant's quarters, a lounge, a dining room, and even a cellar. Not something you ever had in $mcRealm, but this was a result of your family's poverty, not by choice. <img src="images/BB/misc/BaronTabard.png" align=right width=200 height=300> Having received word already that you are to be promoted, congratulated and cheered at a nearby Tavern, you dress in your finest clothes, washed finally. Over the top of your regular clothes, you place the tabard with your family's colors, and are immediately reminded of when you first saw your father in such colors, looking like a most stalwart knight during one of your earliest training sessions. You had no clue how one could still be "poor and weak" as your father was in such a magnificently powerful stature. Such was the impression your father left when you saw him in his colors, and such is your fate, that you may be adorned with the same colors, too. Hopefully your Noble peers shall be just as impressed with them as you were. These colors are the symbol of your Nobility, the beauty of your House, the Grace given to it by the Almighty. You ought to honor them, more than you already have. </p> <p> <img src="images/BB/Anette/Anette.webp" align=right>\ Walking around to the place where the ceremony, or celebration is going to happen, you come to a part of the Trade District, naturally next to the Upper District, where the Nobility is housed. Rows of merchant's stands, shops, houses and house-shops litter your view. Of course, it's night time so everything's closed right now, but you were notified by Gareth that plenty of quality equipment is sold here during the day. Suppose you'll come back. This district was largely left unattended for that reason by the occupying force which you're a part of. The reason for this is quite obvious. Any and all armies that have Nobility among it's ranks, or simply wealthy soldiers, will always supplement their supplies and equipment with those acquired via trade. This means a good relationship with the traders, the merchants, traveling or not, is beneficial, hence why the houses and streets around you don't have any signs of fighting or looting, and there are lights coming out of many of the houses. Without looking for any specific thing, you stumble upon a sight which you most definitely did not expect. A merchant-home, lights out almost completely and a busted lock. Inside you spot a young girl, tied down and some men, whom you vaguely hear talking Swiatlan. She seems uncomfortable, and the men are rubbing her naked body. Perhaps you ought to go in? Prevent something unruly from happening... although you will likely end up late for the celebration. </p> [[Go in|TOMITAN]] [[Just keep walking|TOMITAN]] </center>

<center><p>\ <img src="images/BB/misc/Manor.webp" width=320 height=200 align=left>\ Opening the door, to what you've little choice but to call home, at least temporarily, you remember that there's supposed to be a sleeping girl inside somewhere. Despite the drunken stupor which clouds your mind, you decide to sneak and hush your movements so as not to wake Anette. Walking up the stairs to the place where you unpacked your clothes today, you pause at the top to listen, as if you're in somebody else's home. Well, one could say legitimately that this is someone else's home, but whatever. No noise, so you walk forward and to the right, opening the door, you spot the girl sleeping in the bed you halfway made your own... <div class='cb'>//Shit!//</div> <img src="images/BB/misc/Sneaking.gif" width=250 height=125 align=right> \ Tiptoing sneakily to the chest to the right of the entrance, opposite the occupied bed, ''your'' bed, one could say, you reach the other side of the room, and see that indeed there's still blankets and similar inside, and you've only to pick the heavy thing up and sneak back out without waking up and terrifying the already stressed out Hollik girl. Chest in hands, you make a step back, then stop while looking straight at Anette, turned towards you, eyes closed. A very sweet sight. Yet you don't have time to think, as you're paralyzed with fear at the notion that you'll wake her. Another step back to the door, and another moment of posing like a statue, and with one last step you're halfway out of the room, so you grab the chest with one hand, reaching back to close the door, when you hear... </p> <div class='pin'> Anette:"Mister $mcTitle?"</div> <div class='cb'> $mcNick:"Y-yeah?"</div> <div class='pin'> Anette:"Can you tuck me in?" </div> <div class='cb'> $mcNick:"Of course, sweetheart." </div> <p> As you slide hand by hand in between the young Lady and the bed, slowly enveloping her curves with the fur blanket, ''your'' fur blanket, you can't help but notice how much more comfortable she looks, even drunk as you are. She has a soft, leisurely smile on her face, eyes up at you looking dreamy. Then she closes them and turns to the side, getting comfortable, and you take in the sight of this most adorable beauty, trusting you infinitely. It's like she feels that you're Resplendent now, and knows that she can trust your discipline both not to harm her, and to protect her from others, as the Order requires. You lower your face and give her a loving kiss on the cheek, gracing her delicate nose with your beer-stained breath as you mumble good night, and head off to another room, with your safely-recovered chest.</p> <div class='pin'> Anette:"Good night, Mister $mcTitle."</div> <img src="images/BB/Anette/Tuck.gif" width=350 height=175> [[Go to sleep|TOMITMORNINGDEPLOYMENT]] </center>

<center> <p><img src="images/BB/misc/MorningWindow.jpg" width=200 height=350 align=left>\ Morning comes and sunlight shines through the window, sniping your face from an impossible distance, bringing a hungover awakening to your dreamless sleep. You lay in bed a quarter of an hour longer, contemplating the revelations of last night. First, you're in the Golden Order. Seems your liege and the Kingdom is more desperate than you thought. Regardless, an award like that shouldn't be taken lightly. You know your father would be proud of you now. He never remarried after your birth and your mother's death. You weren't the only child they had, but the only one that survived, and your parents clearly were ready for tremendous sacrifices to give birth to you. This very much impacted how your Father carried himself and how he viewed your upbringing, resulting in his putting an enormous amount of responsibility on you, all to reminiscent of how you feel now, having been inducted among the Golden. A loud sequence of thuds downstairs stirs you awake from the brooding. Sword in hand, you sprint downstairs, realizing you must've went to sleep without ever changing clothes, black and white momentarily assaulting your senses while passing by a mirror. Carefully opening the door, you spot a lad your age, gold across his body, a sergeant most likely, with a parchment in hand. </p> <div class='cb'> $mcNick:"Hello? How may I hel-?" </div> Soldier:"His Royal Majesty invites thee, Lord $mcRealm, to a military conference at an hour after high noon. The meeting is to be at the His Royal Homestead in Tomit. Good day." <div class='cb'> $mcNick:"Good d..... yeah, bye." </div> <p>Closing the door, you place the blade back in it's place, making a point to remember to oil it, and maybe even sharpen it a bit, later though. </p> <img src="images/BB/Anette/AnettePortrait.jpg" height=350 width=220 align=right> <div class='pin'> Anette:"Sir $mcTitle? Are we safe? Is everything alright?"</div> <div class='cb'> $mcNick:"Yes, sorry about the alarm. Just a message." </div> <div class='cb'> $mcNick:"Did you sleep well?"</div> <div class='pin'> Anette:"Oh, like a baby wrapped in it's favorite ''blanket'', I suppose the events of last night tired me out. And the bed is really comfortable. I thank you for your generous hospitality, m'lord." </div> <div class='cb'> $mcNick:"No need to thank me. In fact, what I heard recently makes glad to have met you. I will find it quite helpful to have someone to take care of this household, if I may be so bold as to request that of you. It seems I will be leaving the city quite soon, due to this war. And I would have you stay here, maintaining it for me?" </div> <div class='pin'> Anette:"Hihihi, gladly. I would be honored to." and she latches onto you for a hug. </div> <img src="images/BB/Anette/Hug.gif" width=250 height=450> <div class='cb'> $mcNick:"Well, good. I'm off, do you know if there is a near bath or something?" </div> <div class='pin'> Anette:"Yes there's a spring behind the Manor to collect water."</div> <div class='cb'> You pause:"There's a whole spring just for this Home?"</div> <div class='pin'> Anette:"No there's a couple of springs that are shared between the Houses in the Upper District. Ours is one such home. When I was a kid, I always wanted to live here for this reason. Well, that and the other amenities this District has. Would you like me to prepare a bath for you, Lord"</div> <p>Now that sounds like something you've heard many times throughout the years. A prompt reply with the raised chin of a Noble:<div class='cb'>"Indeed, and make sure it is warm."</div> Seems Tomit really is the Great Jewel you've heard so much about. What shame it's been gripped with war. The entire Market District and even the Lower District through which you assaulted Tomit through look better than not just your shoddy $mcTitley, but even better than the Royal Capital which you've seen an entire two times. It is clear that the war which Höll is a participant of is the exception here, not the rule. </p> [[15 minutes later...|TOMITBATH]] </center>

<<if $lkrel >=15>> <<goto [[TomitWakeK]] >> <<else>> <<goto [[TomitWakeG]] >> <</if>>

<center>\ <p>\ <img src="images/BB/misc/TavernTom.webp" align=left>\ You lie awake, groggy from the impromptu nap you've just taken, somewhat dazed by the light penetrating the room. Where are you? There's a couple of tables stacked close just to the side of the entrance and a cacophony of small, light, barely audible moans. Are you in Hell? Looking to the right, the only thing you see is men on makeshift beds and tables being tended to by the warmaids. Worse, then. You're in an infirmary. How did you end up here? </p> <p> Turning left, the sight of a lazy, mischievous sergeant, and a good friend greets you. He is slumped back on a chair, a light-green-grey gambeson making his stomach look like that of a fat old man. You chuckle silently, falling into a rough, dry cough, which immediately sobers you up and awakens Gareth. </p> <div class='s'>Gareth:"Can I help you, m'lord?" He asks groggily. </div> <div class='cb'>$mcNick:"No, hehehe...''khem, khem''... I'm okay, just a dry throat." </div> <div class='s'>Gareth:"Here's a cup. D'you see what I did yesterday?"</div> <div class='cb'>$mcNick:"Thanks... uhm... what <i>did</i> you do? Should I be worried?" You sip the water you were given. It tastes like the wood you're drinking from.</div> <div class='s'>Gareth:"You don't remember? Master Savos, the head warmaid said you might be a bit confused. You don't recall yesterday's battle?"</div> <div class='cb'>$mcNick:"Hrmm... I do remember. It was hellish, Gareth. It was... terrible." </div> <div class='s'>Gareth:"Yeah... that it was." He looks down, saddened, and grips your shoulder, pinching it almost. It feels good to your sore muscles.</div> <div class='cb'>$mcNick:"Oh yeah, there... a bit to the left. Squeeze. Heh."</div> <div class='s'>Gareth:"Hahahaha, oh man... heh. Never gonna let me ponder my sadness, will you?"</div> <div class='cb'>$mcNick:"No, brother, never. Now tell me, what did you do? The charge for the left flank?" </div> <div class='s'>Gareth:"YES! That's it, plus what you did yesterday, has made the two of us the talk of the army!" He says, getting in very close, as if to conspire.</div> <div class='s'>Gareth:"All the lords, the big ones, are saying I ought to be knighted! And you are the Saviour of Tomit! We're like the legends!"</div> <<if $GarethRe eq 0>> <div class='s'>Gareth:"Even Agatha's looking at me all nice now. She's still telling me to do stuff, but politely!"</div> <div class='cb'> $mcNick:"Woah, well it seems you two are soulmates... Anyway..." You start to stroke your ching.</div> <</if>> <div class='cb'>$mcNick:"So, we're bringing glory to the House? Good...... Good, that's what we were looking to do."</div> <div class='cb'>$mcNick:"Well, there's no reason to stay in bed, I don't think. I should get up and get ready for whatever celebration is surely going to come."</div> <p>Getting up and dressing, you notify Master Savos about your recovery, thank him and look back to see Gareth still getting all your stuff packed into a sack.</p> </center> [[Wait for Gareth|TOMITEXPLORE]]

<center> <p><img src="images/BB/misc/TavernCel.webp" align=right width=475 height=400>\ About a dozen minutes later, finally you arrive to the Tavern. The entrance is a thick double door, thick but not thick enough to completely isolate the sound of cheering and celebrating from within, only to muffle it. You enter, after two sentries from each side open it for you very kindly. A quick thank you as you turn to them, leaves you surprised by the massive ear-shattering hurrah which greets you the moment the crowd spots you. You smile and wave, and look around for something or someone to brace on, and before you know it a mug as big as your head is in your hand, and a fellow Noble lad is hugging you from the side, whom you barely are able to recall is one of the faces which survived your storming against the Greatswords. <div class='s'> "THE BLACK BARON IS HEEEEEEREEEE!" </div> And once again, the crowd is enveloped by another wave of hurrahs, threatening to leave you without hearing. Yet, this time, the festive spirit seems to have overpowered your own melancholy one, so you raise your mug, and smile despite yourself. Another thing you notice is, this time, unlike the previous celebrations, like the one where you had met the Wojewoda for the first time, there were no women present. This time, it seems the morale of the Army has gotten so low, that the leadership has decided to up it a little bit, by bringing what are clearly whores to this party. Perhaps they're looking to get some blackmail material over their subordinates, or perhaps, even more likely in fact, you're just a paranoid son of a bitch. Of course, you're not going to partake in the whoring, recent events having drained you of that desire.\ </p> <p>\ <img src="images/BB/misc/WSmile.webp" align=right height=250 width=400>\ You speak for a little while in this group of men, whom you find out are all men that followed you during the Assault. They talk to you with smiles on their faces, and recount how they are treated as heroes themselves, by the common men, curious about "the Black Baron" and his gallant charge against the traitors. How hard was the fight? Did you get hurt? Have you spoken to the Baron? These are all questions that they've had to answer simply for sharing a couple of minutes with you, during a fight. It seems the more you hear people speak about this assault, the more you realize how truly desperate the situation was. Gives you something to think about. Looking around, you spot Gareth slack-jawed at a particular dancing girl, not paying attention to the Wojewoda approaching him from behind. He says something to Gareth. Fortunately, he does so with a smile, then looks around, spots you, comes over and sits down. </p> <div class='woj'>The Wojewoda:"Enjoying yourselves, boys?"</div> <div class='cb'> $mcNick:"I suppose so." You say in sync with the mutters of the group, sobering yourself in the presence of the Warleader. </div> <div class='woj'>The Wojewoda:"I sure hope so. The Wise King has insisted on this celebration to remind everyone of his Golden Lineage and it's love for the people under it, common and noble alike." </div> <div class='cb'> $mcNick:"We're all very glad to have it... The Golden Lineage, I mean." You decide to test the waters a bit.</div> <div class='woj'>The Wojewoda:"Oh for certain. Without Him, we would all be lost, left to our own devices, for good or bad..." </div> <div class='woj'>The Wojewoda:"Anyhow, do you mind joining me for a bit, $mcNick?"</div> <div class='cb'> $mcNick:"Sure." You step away and follow him, almost to the very exit of the tavern.</div> <div class='woj'> The Wojewoda:"I want to personally thank you, kid. I am not one to mince words. What you did in this city absolutely saved my ass. The King and I are of two completely different minds regarding this campaign and often disagree. This assault was my idea entirely, and I almost lost favor with the King. You've done very well, and I'll make sure you're rewarded. Both for your own good and for the good of the Kingdom. The Realm can use a Warleader like you."</div> <div class='cb'> $mcNick:"A Warleader? That's your title, no?"</div> <div class='woj'> The Wojewoda:"Hahaha, no, you won't be taking my title, son. At least, not unless something happens to me. But I mean it in the more traditional sense. The campaign from this point onwards is likely to be more focused on smaller and smaller "wars" within the Grand War, as our troops pour out from Höll teritorry into Faiz proper. This war is a struggle for renown between myself and the King, which can negatively impact the campaign itself, and I need to know I can count on you. You will have control of a regiment of Cavalry, at least. Perhaps more, if the occasion allows it. Is that satisfactory?"</div> <<set $KingWoj=0>> <span id="Yes"> <<linkreplace "Yes, sir!">> <<remove #Loy>><<set $KingWoj++>><div class='cb'>$mcNick:"Yes, sir" </div> <<include "TOMITCEL1">> <</linkreplace>></span> <span id="Loy"> <<linkreplace "I serve the Kingdom, Wojewoda">><<remove #Yes>> <div class='cb'>$mcNick:"I serve the Kingdom, Wojewoda. If I am to lead in the service of the Kingdom, then so be it."</div> <<include "TOMITCEL1">> <</linkreplace>></span> </center>

<center>\ <div class='woj'> The Wojewoda:"Well I suppose that's as good an answer as you can give."</div> <div class='woj'> He turns to walk away, but then seems to remember: "And don't think I've not noticed you protecting my son. For that, I thank you. Truly.<<if $AmbushC>=2>> And for your role in the capture of Moroz.<</if>> I will make sure you're properly rewarded and cherished.</div> <div class='cb'> $mcNick:"Simply doing my duty."</div> <div class='woj'> The Wojewoda:"Sure. Good answer, though." And with that, he walks away. </div> [[Rejoin the party|TOMITKNIGHTED]] </center>

<center>\ <p><img src="images/BB/misc/TavernCel1.webp" align=left height=320 width=270>About an hour has passed, and the party truly is in full swing now. You have, despite yourself attempting to retain some modicum of discipline, started partaking in drink exactly the way you always looked down upon old geezers for doing. Loudly, with many profanities. The men around you smack and grope the whores, who are all slimm, a consequence of the hardship of the Winter Siege. Regardless, most of them have enough fat in the proper places to be most appealing to the men who almost were massacred just two days ago. They drink their worries away, drink to the fallen, on both sides, funnily enough. And most importantly, you do as well. The nerves have, it seems, finally caught up to you and instead of resisting them, and bringing yourself closer to the point of snapping, you drink and drink and joyously relieve yourself of the pent up stress built up during the past couple of months. You have enough discipline to not chase after the girls, at least. <img src="images/BB/misc/stand.webp" align= right> As you observe the surroundings with a smile on your face and beer-filled mug in your hand, you notice a half-dozen fully armored and armed men near the entrance. More than before. You watch them for a second, when all of a sudden, two of them move to the doors and open them grandiosely. Through the door come more guards, and between them, the Young King himself of the Golden Lineage. One of them yells out: <div class='s'> "HIS MAJESTY, THE KING OF SWIATLA!" </div> and everyone, somewhat slowly but surely, with a ratlike scurry, manages to stand in greeting. Even the whores cover their breasts, at least those that have not managed to fend off the lustful gropes, threatening their almost nonexistent dignity. </p> <p> The King slowly moves through the crowds, looking for someone. Moving past you, he stops and glances for a second. You are unmoved by His Gaze. There may have been a time when this kind of event would've paralyzed you, but not now. Today you know that this is an event that the King already knows about, and considering the Wojewoda's lack of social aptitude, most likely this whole event was the King's idea. A night of drinks is something the rest of your Peers are ashamed about in front of their King, but not you. You might be a bit buzzed, but you're still within yourself, and there is nothing to hide. The King moves on, seems He wasn't looking for you. Perhaps you are starting to become too big-headed. After all, He simply gazed upon you for less than a moment. The Wojewoda meets him somewhere up near the stage where the musicians have been tirelessly playing for you the whole night. You see someone going up to them from the corner of the tavern and then you hear: <div class='woj'>"$mcNick!"</div> You walk forward to the stage, where the King has now taken his spot, giving the troupe a much needed break. Next to you is Gareth, and the King in front of you, you feel as if all the Realm's Eyes are trained on you. You're not bad with social situations, but this is hardly a comfortable position for anyone to be in. </p> <img src="images/BB/misc/Knighting.webp" align=left> <div class='kra'> The King:"Kneel!"</div> \ <div class='cb'> $mcNick:"Yes, your Majesty." </div>\ <div class='kra'> The King:"For services rendered to the Realm, and it's constituents, the House of Wist anoints you, $mcName Czarny of $mcRealm - an inductee of the Golden Order! Thank you for your service. You may now stand. Young Gareth, We exalt thee as a Knight and a Peer in the eyes of the Almighty. You may stand."</div> \ <div class='kra'> The King clears his throat, having already moved on:"The campaign has seen trouble, but with the wise counsel of our Noble Warleaders, namely the Wojewoda, as well as the tough, barrel-chested menfolk who have broken through the very stone that guarded this city, the Kingdom of Swiatla has managed to score a most glorious victory over our enemies. The service through leadership rendered by the Exemplars from eh... $mcRealm, has placed this campaign on a greater height than it would've been otherwise. The real trouble is yet to come, however, and much will be required of all of you. If upon looking at these two men, any of you find Envy within yourself, We would suggest you ensure that the next time your steel meets the enemy, you perform as well as they have. Glory is there for each of you to capture, and it provides a most rewarding ransom. Perhaps, through hard work, one might even earn the rank of the Resplendent. But for tonight, enjoy yourselves. Good evening to each of you, Heroes of Swiatla, and.... have fun. I COMMAND it!" And with that, he and his retinue depart. </div> <<set $Fame+=15>> [[20 minutes later...|TomitKnighted1]] </center>

<center><p>\ No, you really can't ignore those in need. Plus, Knyaz Borva himself said you ought to ensure the safety of the locals. You walk up to the doorway, still undetected by the rapscallions dishonoring the Kingdom. You've no arms with you, and you're dressed for ceremony. What this is going to turn inot is a proper clash of barefisted men. And by the end of the night, you'll be wearing black, white and red. Unfastening a piece of cloth from your tabard, you quickly wrap it around your fist and clench it into place. Rough improvisation, but it's better than nothing.\ </p> <div class='cb'>$mcNick:"What are you doing!" You say in clear Swiatlan.</div> <p> <img src="images/BB/misc/Cree.jpg" width=300 height=375 align=left>\ The two ruffians turn around, both looking like a wounded deer having already accepted it's demise. A Noble seeing two commoners committing a crime. You may as well be death itself to them. Swiatlan Ruffian:"W-ww-wee was just having fun! She asked for it! What do you want anyway! Pompous Scum!" The one who speaks tries to build up his confidence, as well as his friends', but you see them for what they are. <img src="images/BB/misc/FIST.gif" width=200 height=175 align=right> Lowlives, condemning this world to their impure whims. You call the silent one over. Miraculously, he complies, though with a clear malicious intent. The moment he approaches your range, you serve him a cloth-wrapped fist to the nose. His response is to drop unconsciously, head smacking against the floorboards with a clear thud. He might even be dead. <img src="images/BB/misc/Slam.gif" width=225 height=175 align=right> The second one runs at you, as quickly as is possible in this restricted environment. You sidestep and kick at his groin. Missed. The slap that he somehow manages to deliver wakes you up to the danger you're in, and you charge back at him, push-tackling him with all your might. The push leaves him bent backwards over a counter, for just a split second, before he recovers and grabs a hold of you. What a fatal mistake. Wrestling is an art you always were disgusted by, but one you took as seriously as any other form of training. <img src="images/BB/misc/Bloodfist.webp" width=210 height=175 align=left> The bandit in your arms now doesn't even understand how weak his position is, clutching at your neck in desperation oblivious to the coming slam, that is until he is already down on the ground, stunned by the ferocious impact of the ground upon his back. You follow up into his face until the cloth falls off of your knuckles, and then continue with bare knuckles until there's nothing but a bloody, pulpy mess. This one is definitely dead.\ </p> <img src="images/BB/misc/Breathing.gif"> <p>This all must not have lasted even a minute, yet you feel tired already. Naturally, after all you've just woken up from a two day coma, every part of your body sore, particularly your muscles. And yet when you turn to the girl, still frightened, you can't say this wasn't a good way to spend your time, nor even imagine the kind of sight she's confronted with. The fear gripping every part of her body. The sight of a blood-soaked warrior in black and white. You come closer to find her as naked as can be. Still tied down, helpless, she doesn't even move, for fear of making some kind of move that would dare you to abuse her.</p> <p><img src="images/BB/Anette/Scared1.webp" height=400 width=225 align=left>\ First you shake off the craze and with it, the scary look you're giving her. As you approach, you make sure to lower your arms and try to be as soothing as possible. Not much more vulnerable she can be, so you ought to get to work reducing her vulnerability. That would be the best way to soothe the girl. You get a good look while you untie her. A very young girl, still in her teenage years, whispering to you affirmations of peace in a recognizable Höll dialect. A local, indeed. She has bountiful breasts, the kind any woman would be envious of, a silky smooth and pale white skin. Must not be out working very often, then. Her hair is blonde, moreso dirty blonde than anything. You're not sure if it might just be a trick of the light or she's actually a brunette. Hard to see in the darkness of this chamber. Speaking of, this looks like a merchant-home, so it makes sense that she's pale as she is. Not many muscles on her frame, and what little fat you're able to spot are in all the right places. Finally, you've untied her fully, and she first decides to cover herself for some dignity. You feel horrible and still kneeling down, you open your arms to the girl, which, after a moment's hesitation, she decides to take advantage of, and fully sinks into your embrace. You've no response, but to offer what little shelter she can find in your battle-hardened chest. </p> <img src="images/BB/Anette/caresshands.webp" width=300 height=185 align=left> <div class='pin'> Girl:"Are your hands okay?" </div> <div class='cb'>$mcNick:"You're asking if I'M okay?"</div> <div class='pin'> Girl:"...."</div> <div class='cb'>$mcNick:"Sure, I'll be fine."</div> <div class='pin'> Girl:"Do you mind turning around? I need to dress... P---please..." </div> <div class='cb'> $mcNick:"Of course, sweetie."</div> <div class='cb'> $mcNick:"Your door is broken. Windows too... How are you going to live here?" </div> <div class='pin'> Girl:"I don't know... I'll figure it out." </div> <div class='cb'> $mcNick:"You're a trader? I've never seen one so young..." </div> <div class='pin'> Girl:"My father is... but he left just a couple of days before the siege. Wasn't supposed to be long." </div> <div class='cb'> $mcNick:"Ah... terrible. So you've been alone this whole time? How did you survive?" </div> <div class='pin'> Girl:"Well, fortunately, trade is quite lucrative in the Great Jewel of Höll and only having to split the profits between myself and Da', I've had plenty to live off of. Do you know if it's safe in the Upper District with the others?" She says as she moves in front of you, fitting from your perspective just rightly into the doorway you came in through.</div> <div class='cb'> $mcNick:"I think so, though most of the people ''were'' poor and a lot of them men. I would perhaps recommend it to a commoner, but not you, young Lady." As you say this, she bites a lip, crosses her arms and cocks a hip while pondering. An undeniably curvaceous figure, accented most prominently due to the contrast from the broken down doorway.</div> <div class='cb'> $mcNick:"My name is $mcNick, by the way. May I know your name, my Lady?"</div> <div class='pin'> Girl:"Anette. My name is Anette, Sir." </div> <div class='cb'> $mcNick:"Oh, I'm not a Knight, just $mcTitle is fine." </div> <div class='pin'> Anette:"I don't under... whatever, Baron it is. Are you headed to the Upper District by any chance?"</div> <div class='cb'> $mcNick:"Not really, but I'll escort you there." </div> <div class='pin'> Anette:"Perfect."</div> <div class='cb'> $mcNick:"In fact, why don't you stay in my manor? It's only going to be me and some servants, instead of a bunch of peasants." </div> <div class='pin'> Anette:"...." </div> <div class='pin'> Anette:"Fine, it's not like I've much of a choice."</div> <div class='cb'> $mcNick:"Very well, get what you need to take with you, and let's head off. Please hurry, I would not like to be late." </div> <div class='pin'> Anette:"Late to what?" </div> <div class='cb'> $mcNick:"There's a ceremony tonight, to celebrate the battle two days ago." </div> <div class='pin'> Anette:"Mmm." </div> [[Continue|TomitWalkAn]] </center>

<center>\ <p><img src="images/BB/misc/Tomit.webp" align=left width=450 height=375>\ Walking around the moonlit streets of Tomit, the two of you settle into a comfortable silence. Being a Gentleman, you naturally offered her your arm, which she seemed to gladly take. You've had quite an opportunity to view the young lady in the past couple of minutes. You notice her eyes cast down, part of it clearly as a result of the attack and humiliation she has just had to suffer through. Behind the self-evident strife, which you have no remedy for, she displays hints of a thinking mind. A smile here, and a lifted eyebrow there, so small you can barely see these expressions in the darkness of the day, well, night you suppose, the conclusion you draw is that she must be weighing her options. Back home, where she has already been almost violated, to the Emergency Manors in the Upper District, or with a stranger who, though he fought to save her, still comes from the same army and Kingdom which endangered her in the first place. This is the decision she's trying to make, and one she will have to make on her own. Influencing her now, will, indisputably scare her, regardless of how much she's attempting to stay emotionless. This seems to be clear to her as well, which is why the young Lady has been holding you at an elbow's length the whole time. The fact that you will be out for most of the night, will give her the time and space to make a clear decision. You realize you've been staring a bit much when you look ahead and see your new home in Tomit. </p> <div class='cb'> $mcNick:"We've arrived, my Lady, I fear this is where we part ways for the night. You may go in, take whatever room you like, I have yet to spend a night there. Good night."</div> <div class='pin'> Anette:"Good night, //$mcTitle//. And thank you for the timely intervention."</div> [[Continue|TOMITCELEBRATION]] </center>

<center><<set $Martial+=5>><<set $Command+=5>> <p><img src="images/BB/misc/HeadHand.png" align=left>\ <div class='cb'>//Fuuuuuck//</div>, you're now among the ''Silver Order''. This is a new Order. Within the last hundred to two hundred years, the Kingdom has seen many reforms, one of them pertaining to the internal structure of the Realm, certainly regarding the Noble Peerage. Before the Golden Age, the Resplendent Knights (or Knights Resplendant) were men, not too different than regular Knights, but whose only purpose was to fight for and protect the King. Their Squires, and those observed as potential candidates for Resplendent Knights, were named Squires Resplendent. The purpose of these troops changed with Yaroslav the Golden's reign. Due to numerous territorial expansions, the size of the Kingdom, both in population and land, grew rapidly. This made the need for regular Knights far more prevalent, and consequently far less worthwhile. It was no sooner than five years into his decades-long reign, that nearly every Noble in the Kingdom, from Baron to the King's own male relatives, were already Knights, and many of their non-Noble soldiers too. The spread of this title made the Martial oriented parts of the Nobility face growing discontent, as there was now little separation between them and the Nobility that could barely hold a sword, as well as infuriating the pompous Nobility for having to share a title like that with the commoners. This paved the way for a handful of new titles. </p> <p>The first difference was a separation of cavalry between regular commoners, mostly comprised of Knights, sometimes scouts and similar, but also the Lancers. The Lancers are an Order exclusive to the Nobility, made as an appeasement to the Martial-Nobility. This is what you are a part of. The Order of Lancers is not exclusive, however, to other Martial Orders, since it is one that's supposed to encompass all of the Nobility. The regular Page-Squire-Knight development, which was usually reserved for only Nobles, in the centuries prior to Yaroslav, became commonplace among the common soldiery. One step above, in regards to one's Nobility but rarely proficiency in military affairs, was the title of Noble Knight. This was given to the majority of Nobles, those who had barely a clue how to fight or how to strategize, but the distinction from the commoners was enough to appease them. Beyond that, is the Silver Order, which is what you and most everyone among the Noble Youth hoped would be admitted into as a reward for their service during this war. You are now a part of this Order.</p> <p>Beyond that, however, is where the Resplendent Order stands. Sometimes referred to as the Resplendent Order of Gold. Anyone can be placed into the Order by the King, in most cases, though sometimes the Clergy is allowed to admit people, even women, into non-Martial and non-Noble wings of it. However, the Resplendent Order no longer represents the Kings' Guard, the House Guard of Wist already serves that purpose. Now the military wing of the Resplendent Order counts among its members those who have been deemed supremely proficient in the art of war. It has not even been mentioned by any high-ranking Noble since Yaroslav the Golden, and most people probably forgot about it. That would certainly explain the buzz that followed the King's mention of it. The many youth in the Nobility were informed then, that the potential rewards are much higher than they expected. Not only would they possibly be admitted into the Silver Peerage, but perhaps even above that, as the new vanguard of the Resplendent, an Order Revived. Only the Resplendent Order does not have the title of Page, Knight-Resplendant being the highest form of title one can get. Squire Resplendent being simply a temporary position until one ascends to the Knighthood.</p>\ <p>You've scarcely enjoyed yourself since the knighting ceremony, getting drunk without being mentally present, unsure if the headache is from the booze or the weight of your new title. At least Gareth is having fun, being thrown around from drink to drink by the soldiery. He's a Good friend, and you're able to feel happiness for him even through the pulse of pain gripping your skull with every beat of your heart. You excuse yourself from the men surrounding you, and leave the tavern.</p> [[Go home|TOMITSLEEP]] </center>

<center> <p><img src="images/BB/misc/tub.webp" align=left>\ You're alone washing yourself. Normally, a Noble would be assisted by servants in doing this, but Anette is the only one around who could do so, and you've not the heart to request this of her. You've always felt silly when being washed by the women of your $mcTitley, anyway. But you are impressed by the luxurious furniture adorning the rooms, even the bathroom, which you're in. A copper bath tub, a proper room with walls of stone, who've clearly seen much use, you can spot a erosion-induced channel on the stony floor leading to a drain, who knows where. You've never understood architecture that well, but anyhow... The Manor you've been given will indeed require a lot of maintenance, you're already wondering how Anette will do so in your absence. This is hardly the kind of standard that can be upheld by one person. Two stories and many many rooms in it, all kinds of decorations, even a cellar. You'll most likely need a whole staff; a couple of cleaning servants and a steward, at the least, plus, if you feel particularly swanky, a cook, a personal attendant, maybe some House guards, or otherwise a retinue that would be designated to guard your interests. What happened to those dozen and a half men you came with, you wonder? The problem with all this is, you don't have the coin to finance all of this. Anette will either have to take care of this Manor on her own, or use her own funds for it. You're hardly well-off enough to do anything about it.<<if $AmbushC>=2>> Your escapade with Moroz was good, but not enough to help with this.<</if>> You also have to tell Gareth to move in here. He's not going to be of any help in the management of the Manor, but you certainly wouldn't want him too far away from you, even for the short time that you expect to remain in Tomit. Still, you never expected to have better accomodations during war than you did during peacetime. Seems war does pay well, after all. But you've spent enough time on this so far. You ought to get going to the War meeting. Now where's that towel? You can't find it... </p> [["ANETTE!"|TOMITCONFERENCE]] </center>

<center> <p><img src="images/BB/misc/ManorHall.webp" align=left>\ Having yelled at Anette for the towel, dried yourself off and dressed in your finest clothes, you're now walking in through the open doors, slightly intimidated, but when a doorguard greets you with a:"Hail, Black Baron!", you remember that you ought to consider yourself a bit more Knightly and proudly than you would otherwise. A couple of steps in, you hear from an open chamber to your left:<h class='z'>"$mcRealm! Come, lad."</h> You turn left and walk into the large, spacious and beautifully ornamented room, the only "mess" cluttering it being a large table in the center, with a little more than a dozen men crowding around it. You approach the Knyaz, and nobody challenges you, everyone remaining eerily silent. You look around and spot mostly your peers, in age and veterancy, or in certain cases, one to be exact, relationship to the Wojewoda.\ </p> <div class='cb'>$mcNick:"Good day everyone. Good day, Knyaz Borva."</div> <div class='z'> Knyaz Borva:"''Good day, $mcTitle! We're just waiting for young $nickKr's Father. We have already conferred with the King and decided upon a campaign and planned it out. You all are to be assigned certain units, to some, squadrons, to others regiments, all attached to the more senior commanders as we push from Höll into Faiz. All of you are here because you've demonstrated ceratin aptitude for leadership and martial affairs. Do take that with pride.''" <i>His voice cuts through the silence and echoes in the empty vastness of the war room.</i></div> <div class='woj'> The Wojewoda:"Started without me, ladies?"</div> <div class='z'> Knyaz Borva:"Well, most of us here tend to appreciate punctuality, Wolnir. We're at war, ain't we?"</div> <div class='woj'> The Wojewoda:"I'm here aren't I? Just in time, I'd say. We'll start clockwise, from here."</div> <<set $Command+=5>> <p> <img src="images/BB/Map/Provinces.png" align=right width=500 height=300>\ He positions himself two spots away from you, to the left of Borva, who is to your left, which means you'll be next to last, or more likely, last, as Wolnir and Borva probably know their assignments already. You listen carefully, hoping to learn something about military strategy. You find nothing new, but considering it's been a while since the last time you caught up on your war studies, it is a worthwhile reminder. By the time the Wojewoda gets to you, you feel a bit fried in your brain. Probably paid too much attention to your peers' objectives, but fortunately your assignment is simple. You're to lead a reinforced squadron of Lancers, attached to a senior Noble you've not met much, called Modlisz. He will lead about eight thousand men, mostly infantry, to the left flank, meaning the eastern portion of the front, going the "hard way" through Kordeli and Banoyuzun, through the mountains and hoping to cut off any soldiers east of that, particularly any soldiers stationed in Bayli, a flatland which is rare in this region. The rest of the Army will focus their attention through the terrain west of these, in the many territories populated by the Servi, a fellow Swialeni people who've been conquered and occupied by the Faizis a long while ago. It's a sort of pincer maneuver, but instead of two straight lines looking to meet up somewhere further south, it's two Eastward-curving sickles that are looking to cut off multiple contingents of the opposing army. Of course, no matter how much you repel them from Bozkale and/or Korli, they will be able to reinforce via the sea, which your Kingdom has little supremacy in, but at least it will be a momentary reprieve and they would have to assign many resources to retake it, or even if you never get the Port Cities, to assault the mountains once Modlisz takes them. Either way, your assignment is simple. Go with Modlisz, and listen to his orders. </p> <h class='woj'> The Wojewoda:"And that should be it. With the campaign broken up like this, we should not be in danger of it's whole being threatened by a single failure like we have so far. That doesn't mean you all are excused to fail or idle by. This is still a war campaign and I trust everyone will take it as seriously as possible. Meeting concluded." //And with that, he walks away.// </h> <h class='z'> Knyaz Borva:"$mcRealm, come here." </h> <h class='cb'> $mcNick:"Yes?" </h> <h class='z'> Knyaz Borva:"There's a batch of equipment about to be sold in the Market District, it opens in about an hour. There's very little quality equipment and what small amounts we do have will be quickly bought up by the big guys, like me. If you want to get your hands on any of it, I suggest you be among the first over there to get what you can. If you have any money, that is. Dismissed" </h> <h class='cb'> $mcNick:"Thank you, Lord." </h> <p>You think you could invite $nickKr to this, it's been a second since you last conversed, and he owes you for saving his life. Potentially at least. Maybe you could get him to snatch some equipment for you, too. He's the Wojewoda's son, after all. </p> <<set $KorTrade to 0>> [[Ask the Hrabia to accompany you|MANORSTANDARDCHOICE][$KorTrade=1]] [[Go it alone|MANORSTANDARDCHOICE]] </center>

<center> <<if $KorTrade>><p>You approach him immediately after the meeting is concluded.</p> <h class='cb'> $mcNick:"Hello, $nickKr."</h> <h class='p'> $nickKr:"''Good day, friend.'' It's good to see you recovered. The Realm was worried the legend of the Black Baron would end as soon as it started.</h> <h class='cb'> $mcNick:"//Harumph//, well, I'm not that fragile, friend. It takes a bit more than some charred wood to kill me. But I'm not here to brag. I'd like to ask you to accompany me to the Market. I've some insight straight from Borva. Lord Borva, that is..." </h> <h class='p'> $nickKr:"Alright, I'll meet you at the entrance. From the Upper District, of course." </h> <<else>> <p> Who cares about him, anyway? Plus the Wojewoda is talking to him at the moment, he's likely to be busy. You head off to see if you can find some money for the equipment, and to change into something more appropriate for trade. By the time you reach the arch through which you entered, a familiar voice sounds off from behind, slightly unfamiliar due to the lack of shakiness in it.</p> <h class='p'> $nickKr:"''$mcNick.'' Would you indulge me in a bit of conversation?"</h> <h class='cb'> $mcNick:"Of course. How may I help you?" </h> <h class='p'> $nickKr:"Well there's going to be a bit of a sale of equipment soon. Would you like to come with me?" </h> <h class='cb'> Seems that the Wojewoda talked to him about the same thing the Knyaz told you about:"Sure, I was going to, um... just go back home to change. Maybe see if I can't find my stash of gold..."</h> <h class='p'> $nickKr:"Okay, should I meet you at the crossing 'tween Districts?"</h> <h class='cb'> $mcNick:"Sure, see you there, mate." You say with a smile. </h> <h class='p'> $nickKr:"See you there." </h> <</if>> <p> It's a weirdly warm and sunny day, as you notice when looking up right after exiting the building. A brisk walk to the Manor brings with it thoughts of worry, mostly about how you could find the money, not just to buy the equipment you might peruse during this day, but also to staff the Manor with the needed servants. If you sell off your current equipment, that might be enough to cover some of what may be found at the Market, but you'd be left without valuable replacements, at best... Plus, you've always wanted to get some Runeforged things, hardly are you going to get that if you don't have at least a year's worth of coin. These thoughts are swirling in your mind, as you close the Manor's front door, and notice Anette dragging some lumbering chest wider than herself up the stairs. </p> <h class='cb'> $mcNick:"What are you doing?"</h> <h class='pin'> Anette:"Oh, Almighty, //please//..." She says and collapses on one of the middle stairs, breathing heavily with exhaustion, just barely holding the chest with one of her feet. </h> <h class='cb'> You quickly jump up a couple of steps, and put the chest into it's place via your knee:"What is this?" </h> <h class='pin'> Anette:"Haah, haaah.....heh.... Why didn't you tell me? You'r...heh, khem almost as rich as me!"</h> <h class='cb'> $mcNick:"What? Where did you get this?" </h> <h class='pin'> Anette:"OH, my leg, my leg!........ It was in the cellar, what do you mean?" </h> <h class='cb'> $mcNick:"You found a chest of gold in the cellar? ~~Astonishing~~, um, that's good. Why are you draggin it up, though?"</h> <h class='pin'> Anette:"I thought the two rooms we're in would be safer for this than down underground. I'm sorry. Please forgive me."</h> <h class='cb'> $mcNick:".... Okay, I forgive you. I can't stay mad at you for too long." </h> <h class='pin'> To your remark, she smiles knowingly and puts her hands beneath the chin, as if to emphasize her adorableness:"Would you carry it up the rest of the way? I barely got it up to ground level..."</h> <p> Even knowing the game being played on you, one can't simply refuse that face, so you simply sweep her sideways to clear the way, which evokes a <h class='pin'>eep</h> and a giggle from the girl, then carry up the chest, almost without strain altogether. </p> <h class='cb'> $mcNick:"Which room should it be in?! Yours or mine?!"</h> <h class='pin'> Anette:"Um, Mine!"</h> <p> There's a very, very large amount of coin in the chest. Probably enough for Anette to staff and maintain the Manor. You'll have to count how much on top of that you can skim for your purchasing spree. And find assurances from the girl that she won't steal anything while you're away. Speak of the devil, she seems to have dragged herself up the stairs. </p> <h class='cb'> $mcNick:"Would you help me count the money? I will need it in about two hours..."</h> <h class='pin'> Anette:"There's two thousand one hundred and sixty one gold pieces in the chest."</h> <h class='cb'> $mcNick:"Are you that good at counting or did you already do it without me?" </h> <h class='pin'> Anette:"Hahaha, I've already counted it, before trying to move it, to make sure it's worth the hassle in the first place, $mcNick. I'm not that fast!"</h> <h class='cb'> $mcNick:"Hmmmm... Okay, I've to calculate how much I need to leave for the Manor... and then I may use up the rest."</h> <h class='pin'> Anette:"For a home of this size? You'll need a steward, or a stewardess and about three women to handle the cleaning, washing and things like that." </h> <h class='pin'> Anette:"You'd need just below twelve hundred coins for this, furthermore, if you'd like to bring it up to a Noble's standard, and hire a cook, maybe some kind of gardener or have reserves for entertainment once in a while, this would go up to about fifteen hundred." </h> <h class='pin'> Anette:"Even more luxuriously, if you would like the same kind of standard as one of your stature might have back home, but without the positions that become redundant during wartime, then probably the entire chest would suffice. Like a personal armorer or blacksmith altogether, alongside a... um Dum Guard. How do you call that? The ones that protect your Home?"</h> <h class='cb'> $mcNick:"It's called the House guard in Swiatlan. No no, that definitely won't be necessary. I ought to probably have a full staff, however. Even though my House is not a particularly prestigious one, the fame which I have attained during this war might leave my reputation a bit tarnished if I only hire a steward and some servants. I will most certainly be expected to hold to a certain standard." </h> <h class='cb'> $mcNick:"On the other hand, the money might be better spent on equipment, which might save my life. And what good is a prestigious House if I'm dead?"</h> <h class='pin'> Anette:"Don't die please. And don't let me pressure you. Just pick what you think is best." But you already stopped listening. It's time to make a choice.</h> <p>Between the money that you have "found" and the money required for this Manor's upkeep, one could find either 800 or 400 coins, depending on how much luxury you'd like this Manor to uphold. Regardless, you're certain you'll have enough money to buy at least one or two things if you choose to take with you only 400. You're a good haggler after all, and your past in the $mcTitley has given you many contacts among the merchants of this side of the Continent. Still, one can never have enough money, and the equipment you might buy may just end up saving your life.</p> <h class='cb'>$mcName:"I'll take..."</h> [["400 Pieces"|TOMITMARKET][$gold+=410]] [["800 Pieces"|TOMITMARKET][$gold+=820]] </center>

<center>\ <<if $gold<800 >> <div> <<set $Arel+=25>> <<set $ManorStandard to "Rich">> <h class='cb'> $mcName:"...four hundred of them, and you can have the rest. Should be enough for everything we discussed, plus some for you, should you need it."</h> <h class='pin'> Anette:"//Yaaaay//, oh I simply must hug you! Hihihi" She giggles and embraces you</h> <h class='cb'> $mcName:"Well, you certainly won't be lonely, with all the people that are going to be running around." </h> <h class='cb'> $mcName:"You take care of that, and put some into this sack, in case I need them immediately for trade. I'll be off as soon as I'm ready."</h> <img src="images/BB/Anette/Smile.webp" style="padding:2px;" align=right width=350 height=400> <h class='pin'> Anette:"''Yes, m'Lord!''"</h> <p> She ends your interaction with a weak attempt at a blank look ahead, as if being ordered by a commander, which you technically are, but she does so in a way so detached from the regular behavior of a soldier, somehow it ends up looking more adorable than clumsy. </p> </div> <<else>> <<set $Arel+=15>> <<set $ManorStandard to "Plain">> <h class='cb'> $mcName:"...eight hundred pieces, and you should take everything else. Make sure to maintain this home, as I'll be out for a long time, most likely. You should have enough for personal use, as well."</h> <h class='pin'> Anette:"Good... I trust you will bring more some time in the future. I could us... that is, your standing might be improved." says the girl, looking down, kicking invisible dirt.</h> <h class='cb'> $mcName:"Place eight hundred away first, then fill up this sack, I might need to trade them immediately. I'll be off to the market in a little while."</h> <h class='pin'> Anette:"Of course."</h> <</if>> <div> <p> Quickly scampering into some new clothes, and checking your inventory, making notes of what to take with you to bolster the strength of your coinpurse, you pick up said purse from Anette and make way towards the entrance, where $nickKr already waits for you. A greeting from your soft spoken young companion reaches your ears. </p> <h class='p'> $nickKr:"Good day, friend. Seems we're early. Shall we see if we might make some off-the-parchment deals?"</h> <h class='cb'> $mcName:"Yes, let's."</h> </div> <<set $i to 0>> <<set $visitedArsenal to 0>>\ <<set $visitedArmory to 0>>\ <<set $visitedReg to 0>>\ <<set $visitedChurch to 0>>\ <<set $Regbought to "Neither">>\ <<set $TomChurchAction to "Nothing">>\ [[Continue|TOMITMARKETCENTER]] </center>

<center> <<if $i>=3>> <<goto "AFTERMARKET">> <</if>> <img src="images/BB/misc/MarketTown.webp"> <p><<if $i==0>> The Trading Center of Tomit is replete with merchants and traders, their stalls and shop-homes just beginning to open, clearly waiting for you and your fellow Nobles to come acquire their quality arms and armor for large quantities of wealth. You and your companion stop right as you enter, covered by shade from the right. After a brief conversation with $nickKr, the two of you conclude that there's higher chances of buying the equipment you both want if you split up. Seems you needlessly met up and waited for each other, but at least you had some moments to converse. <</if>>\ <<if $i==1>> The Senior Nobles have halfway phased themselves out, and are being replaced by the more middle to upper middle level ranks of Nobility. You've time still.<</if>>\ <<if $i==2>> The Market is now absolutely crowded with Nobles, lowly and poor, like yourself, and few richer ones still remain. You ought to get one last thing done and be gone.<</if>>\ </p> <p> There's four different locations one might visit here. A part of the market dedicated to Arms and Armor, quite clearly divided into two, where one side is for Armor and Shields, while the other is for weapons. <<if $i==0>>Usually merchants that sell weapons and armor sell both, but it seems here they've already traded among themselves and largely grouped their products into the two respective categories. <</if>> Apart from these two clearly useful "shops", there's also a Church to your right, providing much needed cover from the Sun. One might find spiritual guidance inside. The last location, you just barely spotted, and only cause you've cultivated an understanding of traders and their quality back in $mcRealm, is a shop selling valuable regalia, useful for any Noble looking to accentuate and improve their standing. </p> <<if $visitedArsenal==0>>[[Look at Weapons|Arsenal][$visitedArsenal=1]]<</if>> <<if $visitedArmory==0>>[[Look for Defensive gear|Armory][$visitedArmory=1]]<</if>> <<if $visitedChurch==0>>[[Seek the favor of the Divine|Church][$visitedChurch=1]]<</if>> <<if $visitedReg==0>>[[Go to the odd shop|Regalia][$visitedReg=1]]<</if>> </center>

<center> <<if $i<2>> <p>It was a clearly good choice to come here early, there's already<<if $i==0>> a decent<</if>><<if $i==1>> an enormous<</if>> amount of people here. Presumably looking for something to give them that vague, undefined edge over the enemy. Anything to ease the stress. </p><</if>>\ <<if $i>=2>> Seems you should've come earlier, the merchants largely look at you with disinterest, logically assuming that you're here to pick up the left over, less expensive arms, hence deserving of less respect compared to the ones who bought up all the Runeforged weapons.<</if>>\ <img src="images/BB/misc/Arsenal.jpg" width=350 height=300> <p> A quick talk and some haggling reveals to you the products which you might be able to purchase:</p> \ <img src="images/BB/misc/Straznik.webp" align=right width=200 height=500>\ <img src="images/BB/misc/NobleSword.webp" align=right width=200 height=500>\ <img src="images/BB/misc/RegularSword.webp" align=right width=200 height=500>\ <p>The ''first'' sword you see, and you only look at swords, cause you only use them apart from the already quality Lance, is introduced to you as a upper-average quality Bastard Sword (also known as hand-and-a-half sword), which you note in your mind as the regular sword, which would come at a a cost of fifty eight, which you've generously rounded up to sixty.\ The ''second'' one is a one handed sword, which might take some getting used to, particularly using it from horseback, but it's blade //is// longer and thus offers an advantage. It's clearly made for a Noble, and will cost appropriately a large amount of money. One hundred and thirty five, which you've managed to knock down from it's original one hundred and fifty. The third and last one, is the kind low-born (not literally) Nobles like yourself dream of owning, as it is Runeforged to be more durable, sharp and light to the highest quality. It is called ''Straznik (The Guardian)'', and will cost Five Hundred, no budging from the fatty selling it.\ </p> <<if $gold >= 60>> [[Buy the Regular Sword|ArsenalBought][$Sword to "Regular"]]\ <<else>> Buy the Regular Sword<</if>> <<if $gold >= 135>> [[Buy the Noble Sword|ArsenalBought][$Sword to "Noble"]]\ <<else>> Buy the Noble Sword<</if>> <<if $gold >= 500>> [[Buy the Straznik|ArsenalBought][$Sword to "Straznik"]]\ <<else>> Buy the Straznik<</if>> <<linkreplace "Go back">> Are you sure? You've lost valuable time without buying anything. [[Yes|TOMITMARKETCENTER][$i++]]<</linkreplace>> </center>

<center> <img src="images/BB/misc/ArmorMarket.webp"> <p> <img src="images/BB/misc/BronzeHelm.png" heigh=270 width=250 align=left>\ Row upon row of racks and caskets displaying all types of armor, helmet, shield and other types of defensive equipment lines your sight and you feel as if you're actually surrounded by Knights, preparing to do Battle. Among the disjointed limbs from these stationary Knights you see <<if $i<2>>four<<else>> three<</if>> pieces that could be useful to you. First of which is a Bronze helm made in an ancient way, long since outdated by newer iterations of helmets. First is a helmet that used to belong to a sergeant, one that is quite well off seemingly. It would be generally far pricier than this one is, but having already seen use, and been battered, then haphazardly repaired by a warsmith, it's down to a price that you find appropriate. You nicknamed it the ''Sergeant Helmet''. It's black and rounded, with well decorated breathing holes. The Eye slits are perfectly appropriate for your habits and it's affordable. Not too many decorations, but it's already a good-looking desing, so there's no reason for anything more. It will cost a hundred and fifty Pieces. The <<if $i<2>>second<<else>>Last<</if>> Helmet you see is what's known as a ''Great Helm'', a blocky and square looking helmet, but one that is thicker and more durable than the others. It's beautifully ornamented, being entirely black and with a Gold Cross adorning it's center. It's breathing holes are better designed, and far more numerous. You'll not get tired as easily and will have better protection. It will set you back two hundred and eighty five Pieces. <<if $i<2>> The last piece is a beautiful, slightly ornamented breastplate, that would certainly look glorious upon your manly chest. It's thick, it does it's job well, it's not Runeforged, but it is probably the best you'll find at your price range. It is six hundred pieces. That's really expensive for you, even though it's quite a small price for such a beautiful plate. <</if>> </p> <img src="images/BB/misc/SergeantHelm.jpg" align=left width=250 height=290>\ <img src="images/BB/misc/BlackHelm.jpg" align=center width=250 height=270>\ <img src="images/BB/misc/Breastplate.jpg" width=250 height=300 align=right>\ <<if $gold>=150>> [[Buy the Sergeant Helmet|ArmoryBought][$Helmet="Sergeant"]]<<else>> Buy the Sergeant Helmet<</if>> <<if $gold>=285>> [[Buy the Great Helm|ArmoryBought][$Helmet="Great"]]<<else>> Buy the Great Helm<</if>> <<if $gold>=600>> [[Buy the Breastplate|ArmoryBought][$Chest="Breastplate"]]<<else>> Buy the Breastplate<</if>> <<if $i==0 and $AmbushC>=2 and $lkrel>19>>[[You see a familiar few faces...|ArmoryMoroz][$Chest="MorozBreast"]]<</if>> <<if $gold>=5>>Buy the Bronze helm to save face and just [[be gone...|ArmoryBought][$Helmet="Bronze"]] <<else>>Since you don't have the money for anything, you're forced to just leave and hope nobody saw this.<</if>> </center>

<center> <img src="images/BB/misc/InChurch.webp">\ <p>A somber quiet replaces the assault on your ears as you walk through the large double doors. Inside are some individuals, praying, hoping for Salvation, and in the far back, sitting at the pew, but not praying like the rest, sits a Deacon, reading what you assume, is the Holy Script. You ought to walk over, and ask for his services. A confession would be nice, but you should not divulge any more information, Lady Katherine has acquired enough, all on ==her== your own. That only leaves two choices, an assisted Prayer, as they call it here in Höll, or a Blessing in your native Swiatlan. The other choice being a donation, which is as Custom requires, as much as you want to give. </p> <<linkreplace "Make a Donation">>\ [[A measly 5 gold will do|ChurchAction][$TomChurchAction="Five"]] [[The standard 10-15 gold will do|ChurchAction][$TomChurchAction="Fifteen"]] [[A nice 25 donation should distinguish between me and the impious|ChurchAction][$TomChurchAction="Twenty"]] [[75 Gold will probably match what this Church gets in a month's time|ChurchAction][$TomChurchAction="Seventy"]] [[If I give 100 Gold Pieces, the Almighty will surely notice|ChurchAction][$TomChurchAction="Hundred"]] <</linkreplace>> [[I ought to just pay for a Blessing and go back|ChurchAction][$TomChurchAction="Blessing"]] </center>

<center> <img src="images/BB/misc/Cloyster.webp" width=250 height=325 align=left>\ <p>The merchant-home, at first glance, looks like the kind that sells bits and bobs, trinkets and such, not very useful to a Noble in the middle of a war, but actually displays some tabards, feathers and similar decorative equipment which marks this shop as uniquely useful. The only people that recognize the hidden value of this place are yourself and the High Nobility. The High Nobility, because they've grown up in the part of society where not only skill, competence and pure wealth matter, but also beauty and this regalia might offer that. You recognize it because of your rich-in-socializing background. A Commander with a Noble's helmet will be respected by his followers due to his skill alone. But a Commander with a Noble's helmet, plumed and feathered properly will be respected //and admired// by his followers. There might also be some more practical items here. The shop is one of those with "funny" names, funny in the sense that there's no humor at all, and the name is ultimately nonsensical, considering it's called The Cloyster, but you see no reference in the shop's items to any religious function, nor do you see messaging related to that in the sign's shop outside. Regardless, you begin to converse with the fat bellied bushy 'stache manning the stand central to the shop. </p> <p> A quick and easy conversation reveals only two items you see yourself buying. Both ultimately decorative, but not without their use. One is a pack of feathers and plumes of various colours you could attach to, well, anything, but most people would look at you funny if you attached them to anything but the helm you're wearing. Yours would look quite nice with it. The other option is to buy a tabard, maybe two at most, limited both by your coin capacity and more importantly the fact that black and white are rare colors for a House, so the Merchant states he can only part with the two on display. Probably more in the back or somewhere else, but you don't care about buying such a surplus anyway. </p> <img src="images/BB/misc/FeatherPlumes.jpg" width=250 height=325 align=left>\ <img src="images/BB/misc/TabardBW.jpg" width=250 height=275 align=right> <<if $gold gte 15>>[[Feathers and Plumes|RegaliaBought][$Regbought="Feathers"]] 15 Gold<</if>> <<if $gold gte 35>>[[Tabards|RegaliaBought][$Regbought="Tabard"]] 35 Gold<</if>> </center>

<center><<set $i++>> <<if $Sword eq "Regular">><<set $gold-=60>> <<set $Martial+=10>> <p> Your weapon is beautiful, fits well into it's sheath, which fits snugly onto your belt and you go back to survey the market.</p> <img src="images/BB/misc/RegularSword.webp"><</if>>\ \ <<if $Sword eq "Noble">> <<set $gold-=135>> <<set $Martial+=15>><p> The handle is indeed slightly shorter than the weapon you've used so far. This is a proper one handed weapon, unlike the hand and a half you've used thus far. </p><img src="images/BB/misc/NobleSword.webp"><</if>>\ <<if $Sword eq "Straznik">> <<set $gold-=500>> <<set $Martial +=25>> <p>This beautiful weapon emanates a warm radiance that one can feel about a hand's length away from it. No doubt about it's make now, this is a proper Runeforged weapon. It's handle is hand and a half, length is quite standard, beautiful pommel, handle and holster. No one is going to take you lightly with this </p> <img src="images/BB/misc/Straznik.webp"><</if>>\ [[Continue|TOMITMARKETCENTER]] </center>

<center> <<if $i==0 and $AmbushC>=2 and $lkrel>=20>><p>You move in to the half-circle of mostly-armor merchants and find a sight most unusual, a gaggle of Hollik Nobles, at least you think they're Nobles, laughing as they peruse the traders' items. You recognize one, a certain formerly captured captain - Moroz. You think it's best to avoid him, but before you manage to do so, one of the Holliks utters:~~"It's the Black One..."~~, to which the whole group turns. Nothing to it, you've to face him, as you already have. Under more dangerous conditions. Before you can follow up the thinking, he greets you as if you're an old friend...</p> Cpt. Moroz:"$mcNick! What a coincidence." <h class='cb'> $mcNick:"Ahh... Captain... Hello." </h> Cpt. Moroz:"I was just talking to Baron Tern here, it seems you've been building up a reputation." <h class='Hol'> Baron Tern:"Hello. A pleasure to meet you. At least, when you're not on horseback and charging at me."</h> <h class='cb'> $mcNick:"I'm afraid you gentlemen have me confused. Are we not to be tense with each other? I am not from a particularly rich or important part of Swiatla, yet I'd be fuming to see someone who is by\ all definitions an invader, casually strolling through my native lands." </h> <h class='Hol'> Baron Tern:"You're quite green, huh, $mcNick?"</h> Cpt. Moroz:"Well, you ought to know, we're not particularly fond of Faiz. Our duty demanded we serve in this war, but few in Höll are happy with the Prince. Particularly now that Tomit's been taken, which hasn't\ happened since Gabriel the Weak." You don't know who that is, but surmise from the name that he's not liked. Cpt. Moroz continues:"I'm quite grateful to Hospodar $mcRealm, for sparing my life at the Marnava Ambush a couple of months back." He compliments you, saying Lord $mcRealm in native Hollik. <h class='Hol'> Baron Tern:"In fact, we were just discussing a way to repay your continued kindness. Since you've spared the life of our Captain here, and guarded my sister's life, we thought it proper to\ purchase something to guard ''you'' instead." </h> <p>Ah, Tern, that's the "village" you remember Lady Kat is from. Seems your reputation truly does sometimes offer proper rewards. </p> Cpt. Moroz:"We'd like to present you this runeforged breastplate, to protect our most honorable friend. One who we hopefully will not have to face in battle again." <img src="images/BB/misc/Blackplate.webp" width=300 height=350> <h class='cb'> $mcNick:"Woah..."</h> Cpt. Moroz:"Well, no need to thank us, ''hah!'' We'll let you get on with it. Have a great day, $mcNick. And do keep being honorable. It is what brought you this fortune today, I'm sure you'll be well served by it in the future." <p> They walk away with scattered good byes and admiring looks, and a mention of Lady Kat, but you've already stopped paying attention. The Armor you've received is very light metal, covered by an even lighter strip of leather or hide. It's Runeforged to be //extremely// durable. Combined with the materials it's already made out of, you know that this will end up being both ligher and more durable than what you've already got. If you combine it with the Brigandine that's already a standard piece of armor for your fighting look, you ''know'' nothing will pierce you anywhere above the pelvis and below the neck. This must've cost a small fortune." </p> <<set $i++>> [[Stop bawking and move on|TOMITMARKETCENTER]] <</if>> </center>

<<set $i++>> <center> <<if $Helmet eq "Sergeant">> <<set $Martial+=5>> <<set $gold-=150>><p>The Helmet seems like it will fit comfortably over your chainmail, perhaps even with room to spare. Seems the Sergeant had a big head. Either way, a problem like that will easily be fixed, but you walk now with a hop in your step, because you've got a nice new helmet.</p> <img src="images/BB/misc/SergeantHelm.jpg" width=250 height=290> <</if>> <<if $Helmet eq "Great">> <<set $Martial+=5>><<set $Command+=10>> <<set $gold-=285>><<set $Fame+=5>><p>The Piece feels like a thick weight in your hands, like something that's useless and only serves to weigh you down. But you know it to be something better, something sweeter. This is a proper Great Helm, like what the old Resplendent ones used to wear. The height of warsmithing always produces something like this, and unless you find a Runeforged helmet, this is likely to remain the best item you could've found today.</p> <img src="images/BB/misc/Blackhelm.jpg" align=center width=250 height=270><</if>> <<if $Chest eq "Breastplate">> <<set $gold-=600>> <p> The Breastplate will fit nicely on top of your chest, though it will be harder to carry around than your previous brigandine.</p> <img src="images/BB/misc/Breastplate.jpg" width=250 height=300 align=center>\<</if>> [[Continue|TOMITMARKETCENTER]] </center>

<<set $i++>> <center> <<if $Regbought eq "Feathers">><<set $Fame+=5>><<set $Command+=5>> <<set $gold-=15>><p> You attach a dark-green feather to the hunter's cap you're wearing, look at yourself in the window outside of the Cloyster, and deduce that this was a good purchase. Perhaps overpriced, but a good purchase.</p> <</if>> <<if $Regbought eq "Tabard">><<set $Fame+=5>> <<set $Command+=10>><<set $gold-=35>> <p>You immediately put one of the tabards over the "civilian" wear you've already got and feel the quality made wearable flag lay into place on top of your body.<<if $i>1>> You grab the other one, determined to carry it home, since you'll be heading back soon.<<else>> You ask the Cloysterian to send it to your Manor in the Upper District as you'll likely spend quite a bit more time here.<</if>></p> <</if>> [[Continue|TOMITMARKETCENTER]] </center>

<center><<set $i++>> <img src="images/BB/misc/Deacon.png" align=left>\ <<if $TomChurchAction eq "Five" or $TomChurchAction eq "Fifteen" or $TomChurchAction eq "Blessing">><p>The Deacon humbly thanks you, gives you a blessing and sees you out. The Holy Script requires the Pious always be stoic and humble with emotions, so you're not surprised. Regardless, the failure to impress is somewhat Sinful to one of your standing, even if your standing is low compared to the other Nobility. <<if $TomChurchAction eq "Five" or $TomChurchAction eq "Blessing">> <<set $Gold-=5>> <<set $Piety+=5>> <</if>>\ <<if $TomChurchAction eq "Fifteen">> <<set $Gold-=15>> <<set $Piety+=15>> <</if>>\ </p><</if>>\ <<if $TomChurchAction eq "Twenty">> <p> The Deacon's face, heavy brows dragging it down, battles defiantly and provides you with a smile and a warm gaze. The man is handsome, but socially awkward and somehow manages to stumble while shaking your hand. Regardless, he remembers his Duty and provides you with a blessing, after which he excuses himself and leaves somewhere through a back door. </p> <<set $gold-=25>> <<set $Piety+=20>><</if>>\ <<if $TomChurchAction eq "Seventy">> <<set $gold-=75>> <<set $Piety+=35>> <p> The Deacon turns slightly away, peeling one ear, to make sure he heard you correctly. The disbelief which is built up through decades of humility oriented living, common for pious people such as him, is crystal clear on his face.<h class='gold'>"Seventy?! That's how much the Grand Cathedral of Tomit gets in a month!"</h> He says. You're sure of it, you tell him, but he just stands slack-jawed, slowly shifting his face to one of a friendly, almost motherly nature. An enormous thanks and what you interpret as a <h class='gold'>//Focused Blessing//</h> through your limited understanding of Höll and it's language, follow suit and you feel the Almighty's Radiance wash over your being. You set off afterwards, glad to have visited the Church and acted as you have.</p><</if>>\ \ <<if $TomChurchAction eq "Hundred">> <<set $gold-=100>> <<set $Piety+=50>> <<set $Ambition++>><p> The Deacon, shaken out of his regular habits, yelps out definitely inappropriate <h class='gold'>"Hah! The Almighty is with us!"</h>, to which the other "patrons" of the Church don't hesitate to turn their heads and remind the Deacon with their gaze what the appropriate behaviour is. Funny, because usually the Deacons and Priests do that to the Patrons, not the other way around. The Deacon collects himself, hugs you closely and thanks you profusely, following up with a process he introduces as a <h class='gold'>//Focused Blessing//</h> or at least that's what your limited understanding of Höll and it's language is able to gather from it. As the Deacon utters the Passages, you view Almighty's Holy Gaze brighten through the windows and focus on you. The Earthly world has already noticed you and given birth to the Black Baron. Now, it seems clear the heavenly world, too has noticed you, and praises you with it's light.</p><</if>>\ [[Continue|TOMITMARKETCENTER]] </center>

<center> <p> <img src="images/BB/misc/Dusk.webp" align=left>\ By now the entire area is swarming with men and even the Commoners are beginning to trickle in. The more unique wares are being taken off from the racks and it's clear that the period during which you and your <h class='p'>companion</h> ought to have perused the market has long since passed. You chuckle to yourself as you think back to the whole plan the two of you made, of how two young Gentlemen from Nobility would take the Market and the war by storm, enveloped in Glory and Wrath throughout the campaign. As the gradient of the evening sky pierces your sight, your thoughts start turning similarly dark when you realize that a planning mishap like this one might well cost the both of you your lives. Phew, you must breathe... Calm yourself. The nervous nature of a Man at war is not one easily broken, it seems. You feel the same way as when you first were to join the Ambush a couple of months ago. You stop in front of the Manor, only now realizing that you've been walking the whole time. A new task awaits. The Young Lady must hear the news, too. She'll be alone once again. You will have disappointed her. You're sure of it. </p> <<if $lkrel>=15>>[[Open the Door|MANORGROUP]]<<else>> [[Open the Door|MANORGARETH]]<</if>> </center>

<<switch $Helmet>>\ <<case "Nasal">>\ <img src="images/BB/misc/Nasal.webp" width=75 height=100> <<case "Sergeant">>\ <img src="images/BB/misc/SergeantHelm.jpg" width=100 height=100> <<case "Great">>\ <img src="images/BB/misc/BlackHelm.jpg" width=100 height=100> <<default>> ''No Helmet'' <</switch>>\

<<switch $Chest>>\ <<case "Brigandine">>\ <img src="images/BB/misc/Brigandine.webp" align=center width=120 height=200>\ <<case "Breastplate">>\ <img src="images/BB/misc/Breastplate.jpg" width=125 height=175>\ <<case "MorozBreast">>\ <img src="images/BB/misc/Blackplate.webp" width=150 height=160>\ <<default>> ''No Chestpiece'' \ <</switch>>\

<<switch $Sword>>\ <<case "Family">>\ <img src="images/BB/misc/CrudeSword.webp" align=left width=120 height=225>\ <<case "Regular">>\ <img src="images/BB/misc/RegularSword.webp" align=left width=125 height=225>\ <<case "Noble">>\ <img src="images/BB/misc/NobleSword.webp" align=left width=125 height=225>\ <<case "Straznik">>\ <img src="images/BB/misc/Straznik.webp" align=left width=125 height=225>\ <<default>> ''No Weapon'' \ <</switch>>\

<<switch $Footwear>>\ <<case "Leather">>\ <img src="images/BB/misc/CrudeBoots.webp" width=80 height=105> <</switch>>

<center> <p><img src="images/BB/misc/TManorHall.webp" align=right>\ A warm and a homely climate greets you as the living room seems full of people. You get angry at Anette momentarily, but smile when you notice that she seems to have let in Gareth, Lady Kat and Agatha in. The four of them are gathered around a table, sitting, drinking and conversing. Well, everyone except Gareth, who seems to have been walled off with Lady Talk. He sits slumped over to the right of Agatha, both of them facing you, as well as Kat, while Anette's left is turned towards you. Gareth is first to notice you, and beams up immediately with a smile. You're unsure if that's because he genuinely misses you, or because you've rescued him from this conversation. He's first to run up and hug you, at which point you conclude; it's definitely because of the conversation. The ladies promptly greet you, as well, though far more diplomatically. </p> <h class='zh'> Agatha:"Good day, $mcNick."</h> <h class='gri'>Lady Katherine:"Indeed, hello, Dear $mcTitle."</h> <h class='pin'> Anette:"Hello! It's so good you're back. The guests here have all kinds of stories about the Black Baron, hihi..."</h> <h class='cb'> $mcNick:"I hope only good ones."</h> <h class='pin'> Anette:"Sure. I hope it's alright that I let them in.", the girl says as she shyly twiddles her thumbs.</h> <h class='cb'> $mcNick:"Sure. How have you two been, my Lady?"</h> <h class='gri'> Lady Katherine:"Oh, you know, fine. I've just been catching up with my brother.<<if $Chest=="MorozBreast">> He said you aren't as tall as he thought you'd be. I'm pretty sure you're taller than him, however...<</if>>Anyhow, I've heard from him that many of the cavalry regiments are to be sent out within the next two days, so I felt that I should visit, just in case... I mean to see if you're leaving so soon.</h> <h class='cb'> $mcNick:"Yes, unfortunately, I'm to leave tomorrow morning." You turn slightly towards Gareth, to indicate that he should be ready as well, then turn towards Anette, as if to comfort and assess her feelings.</h> <h class='gri'> Lady Katherine:"Well, that's... really... that's unfortunate. I hope you come back to us alive and well. You've been a most plea...pleasing companion." Did she want to say pleasurable?</h> <h class='cb'> $mcNick:"Do not fret, my Lady. I'm sure I'll be fine. Now, do tell if you all need anything, I seem to have gathered myself here quite comfortably, and would not hesitate to help."</h> <h class='gri'> Lady Katherine gives one of her well-practised deep smiles and says:"Thank you so much. We'll do so if we need to, but we'll get out of your hair now. I'm sure the preparation is exhausting and takes a long time. Bye." </h> <h class='cb'> You and your two... well, House members, you suppose, escort the lady and Agatha out. </h> <p> The very moment the doors close, the girl runs up and hugs you tightly. Is this jealousy or worry? Or Both?</p>\ <h class='pin'> Anette:"Sorry. I just... didn't know you'd be leaving m... the Manor so quick."</h> <h class='cb'> $mcNick:"It's alright. Would it be too much to ask you to prepare us some food?"</h> <p> Anette gives a bright girly smile and literally hops away like a kid to the kitchen, while you take your new equipment upstairs. </p> [[Continue|MANORDROPEQUIPMENT]] </center>

<center>\ <p><img src="images/BB/misc/Chest.webp" width=350 height=350 align=left>\ Walking back, then upstairs then left to your room, you find the chest which you so troublingly extracted from what ''should've'' been your room. It's getting quite full by now, and maybe you ought to purchase a new one. Though, perhaps the wardrobes and such in this Manor may supplement what you're missing in storage space. That's a thought. So far, you've managed to get by pretty well, despite the initial setbacks. Yet, for whatever reason you feel like total shit right now. You suppose it makes sense, just yesterday you woke up from a coma, immediately got into a fistfight, brought yourself into a drunken stupor, and then have been walking all day looking for equipment. Not to mention the looming understanding that you're to go to battle again soon. And you've not eaten much yet. Just a slight snack, yesterday before you went to the celebration. Most of your time at the tavern was spent drinking. Food is definitely your primary thought right now, though, all the doom and gloom can wait. At this moment, you're just another animal looking to satiate it's hunger. </p> [[Have Dinner|MANORDINNERTHREE]] </center>

<center> <p><img src="images/BB/misc/TManorHall.webp" align=right>\ A quiet somewhat weak conversation welcomes you to the Manor. You walk forward and pass the stairs located on the right side of the wall, then turn left into the kitchen. Inside are Gareth and Anette. They both smile brightly as they see you. Seems they didn't particularly enjoy conversing with one another. Hopefully, that won't be a problem in the future. The Manor is likely to be a place where you return multiple times throughout the future, and these two will have to work together. Either way, you've no time to think about it now. You're famished, and afraid of the moment when you have to notify the young Lady of your imminent departure. Perhaps Gareth was able to impart that knowledge on her already. Anyhow, you come closer, hug Gareth back, who surprisingly seems to have missed you. Then you turn to Anette. </p> <h class='cb'> $mcNick:"Might I trouble you to make us some food?"</h> <h class='pin'> Anette:"Right away. Just before that..." She hugs you tightly.</h> <h class='pin'> Anette:"How did the market find you?"</h> <h class='cb'><i> You tell her about your beautiful new gear. Like the <<if $Helmet!="Nasal">> beautiful new helmet you've got. <<if $Helmet!="Nasal" and $Regbought!="Neither">> Or the splendid decorative pieces you've obtained.<</if>><</if>> In the process, you let it slip that you're leaving tomorrow morning.</i></h> <h class='pin'> Anette:"That's amazing, I'll get to making that food now."</h> <h class='cb'> $mcNick:"Good. I'll go upstairs and change. I'll be here in 20 minutes."</h> [[Continue|MANORDROPEQUIPMENT]] </center>

<center> <p> <img src="images/BB/misc/Dinner.webp" align=right>\ When you look at the dinner table with all the food on it, your first instinct is to get mad at the copious amounts of money this must've cost. Even though you've got more money now than ever before, this is still too expensive for your taste. Regardless, you can't keep up the anger this time, not just because of how sweet the young Lady is, but also because you're absolutely starving. Though, somewhere, deep in the back of your mind, still you hope that she does not use this much money on food all the time. You chow down the food like a wolf, and Anette goes to wash your dishes while Gareth and you start talking about the move tomorrow. </p> <h class='s'> Gareth:"You know the man we're assigned to?"</h> <h class='cb'> $mcNick:"Mm... Some guy named Modlisz (//Sw - to pray//), haven't met him before. Supposedly, his parents intended him to be a pious man, hence the name."</h> <h class='s'> Gareth:"Oh, Modlisz, I know some of his boys. Good fighters, from what I can tell. He seems to pay them well, too, but... well, unless I misinterpret things a lot, seems he's not a very good Commander."</h> <h class='cb'> $mcNick:"Hmmmm... Fuck."</h> <h class='s'> Gareth:"Yeah, well, as I said, his men are good. Probably cause he pays them well, a lot of mercenaries among them, former and current. I guess he's one of those rich Barons... eh, whatever, Hrably, what is his title?" </h> <h class='cb'> $mcNick:"Hrabia, I think... of Holm, just north of Höll. I suspect the infantry whom we're being sent to support are going to have a contingent of Holliks, so that's why he's being sent. Let's hope, they at least are good." </h> <h class='s'> Gareth:"Well, we're Lancers, at least. Congratulations by the way, we barely spoke since the celebration. Where'd you find the girl?"</h> <h class='cb'> $mcNick:"~~I was walking to the tavern the other night and saw two of our soldiers... well, harassing her, I'll say~~. They're no longer here."</h> <h class='s'> Gareth:"phwooof. Horrible."</h> <h class='cb'> $mcNick:"Yeah... and so we're clear, I'm the Lancer, //peasant boy//, you're just my sergeant! Good night, Anette! I'm off to bed. You should get some sleep, too." </h> <h class='s'> Gareth:"But if I hide your body, and pretend that I'm you, than ''I'll'' be the Lancer! Also, yeah, good night."</h> [[Continue|PREMODLISZ]] </center>

<center> <p>\ <img src="images/BB/misc/Moon.webp" height=250 width=350 align=left>\ Laying down in bed, you remember thinking you wanted to ask Anette to prepare you a bath in the morning, but you're now resting your sore muscles and you'd like to remain doing so. This is a comfy bed, you've got a nice view at the moon through the window you've left open for some cool late winter air. You love having a cool room and a warm blanket to crawl under, like right now. A couple of moments before you fall asleep, you hear a knock on the door, followed by it opening. Anette shyly looks in. </p> <img src="images/BB/Anette/Pajama.webp" width=265 height=300> <h class='pin'> Anette:"H-Hello."</h> <h class='cb'> You're a bit confused, but you sit up and say:"Hello? How may I help you?"</h> <h class='pin'> Anette:"I just wanted to spend some time with you before... you know."</h> <h class='cb'> $mcNick:"Before I leave? Okay, of course I mean. Let me just get dressed."</h> <h class='pin'> Anette:"No it's fine, just... a little bit...? Can I just sit next to you?"</h> <h class='cb'> $mcNick:"Uh....okayy..."</h> <h class='pin'> Anette walks closer, wearing her nightgown, or what you assume to be one. You move out of the way a bit, and she plops down her strawberry-scented body next to you.</h> <h class='pin'> Anette:"..."</h> <h class='cb'> $mcNick:"So?"</h> <h class='pin'> Anette:"So?"</h> <h class='cb'> $mcNick:"What did you come to talk about?"</h> <h class='pin'> Anette:"I just wanted to spend some time with you. Just... you know, like I'm gonna miss you."</h> <h class='cb'> $mcNick:"Oh? Well you know, soldiers need to sleep and all that."</h> <h class='pin'> Anette:"''Oh!'' Lay down and relax, please." She says as while moving to the top of the bedpost, and gestures to lay your head down onto her stomach.</h> <h class='cb'> $mcNick:"Hrm, okay."</h> <h class='pin'> Anette:"<<if $lkrel>=15>> I really like your friends. They seem like nice people.<</if>> Just so you know, I sent a letter out through one of my father's merchant friends, to try and see if I can't locate him."</h> <h class='cb'> $mcNick:"I hope all is well. He should be fine, honestly. The roads between Höll and Swiatla, well Höll and anywhere, have always been safe.</h> <h class='pin'> Anette:"He had enough guards with him, I'm sure he'll be fine. Honestly, there were probably more guards with him than there usually would be, because they were hoping to avoid conscription and having to fight you guys."</h> <h class='cb'> $mcNick:"I've heard that multiple times already. Is Höll really that unwilling a partner in this war? Or have I just come across Holliks that love Swiatla? Which might explain why your Swiatlan is so good."</h> <h class='pin'> Anette:"Well, I don't know how to explain that. The Prince is young and said to be eccentric...eh... not in like a good way. He seems a bit decadent. Höll has avoided conflict for a very long time and pursued a trading focus. The Prince seems to, well, I don't... I think he's bored, honestly, and he decided to fight a war instead of continuing our neutrality."</h> <h class='cb'> $mcNick:"And tha..."</h> <h class='pin'> Anette:"And my Swiatlan is good because my father is a merchant, and we used to travel a lot when I was younger. I don't really care about Swiatla, I'm sorry. Though I'm thankful to you for your help and all else, Swiatla altogether has still invaded my city, and I don't like that." </h> <h class='cb'> You think about mentioning that Höll was the first to invade, but cast away the thought:"Well, I hope to change your mind, at least somewhat."</h> <h class='pin'> Anette:"Hihihi, you already have." She strokes your head and cheek with an affectionate look that bores deep into your soul.</h> <h class='pin'> The look continues in silence for a while, then slowly turns not exactly sour, but blank, distant and sad.</h> <h class='cb'> $mcNick:"What is it, sw... Anette?"</h> <h class='pin'> Anette laugh-gasps:"Hah-uh, you can call me sweet, or sweetheart, or whatever you wanted to say."</h> <h class='cb'> You grab her and pull her down, all the while bringing your blanket over her shoulder, cause you felt her arm was cold, and then after a second of staring at each other in bed, you raise an eyebrow as if to repeat the question. </h> <h class='pin'> Anette:"Are you going to die?"</h> <h class='cb'> $mcNick:"I... well... We're all going to die one day."</h> <h class='pin'> Anette:"No, I mean seriously."</h> <h class='cb'> $mcNick:"I don't know, //sweetie or sweetheart//. I'm a tough nut to crack. But I don't know."</h> <p> Despite the sweetie or sweetheart comment eliciting a laugh, she falls back into a somber mood as her hands grasp deeply at you and the two of you find yourselves enveloped by each other's arms and legs. After a while, she finally says.</p> <h class='pin'> Anette:"Are you scared of sleeping alone?"</h> <h class='cb'> You chuckle:"Do you want to sleep with me?"</h> <h class='pin'> Anette says shyly:"~~Yeah~~"</h> <h class='cb'> You give her a kiss on the cheek and notify her about your morning bathing plans.</h> <h class='pin'> Anette:"No problem... //*mwah*//, hihi... Good night." She says while nestling her cute nose into your neck.</h> <img src="images/BB/Anette/Sleeping.webp" width=450 height=325> [[Sleep|PREMODLISZ2]] </center>

<center> <p><img src="images/BB/misc/Morning.webp" align=left width=320 height=280>\ You wake after a dreamless sleep, unsure if it's the morning sun just peeking out from beyond the horizon or the thud from beyond the thick door, the only door in this room. Your left arm lacks a familiar weight with which you fell asleep last night, at which point you notice Anette has probably left just now, waking you up with the door. It took no time at all, it seems, for you to get used to her sleeping on top of you. "//Soldiers have a heart as cold as the steel they wield//" - the Old Baron's words. You wonder somewhat idly, while letting yourself get rid of the morning rogginess, if other Nobles of similar rank and age had fathers with similar views on training their sons. His words should be respected, however. You owe him that much. And the eye-roll which you've just self-induced manages to wake you up completely, so up you go. </p> <p>While putting on your first pair of pants, the one which you'll slip out of after bathing, you realize there's no need to put on a shirt. Gareth has seen you naked and you him, though that's not a chapter you like to revisit, and Anette has just slept throughout the night on top of your topless body. Picking a nice white tunic and black pants-boots pair in the latest Vallonese fashion, you find a beautiful combination to introduce the finest representative of the House Czarny to Modlisz and his men. Not to mention, the contingent of Lancers which you will be leading. Speaking of, the Lancers are a decent mix of Veterans and Youth. Plenty of men your age will be under your command, but also a good chunk of them will be men who in all right should be your Seniors. $nickKr won't join you this time, however. He is being sent to a safer front. Both of these developments are <<if $KingWoj>0>> smart <</if>>work of the Wojewoda, you're sure. Walking down the stairs, and then further into the bathroom, you find your watery goodness already heated up and prepared for you. The warm bathwater prepared by the <h class='pin'> Sweet Stewardess</h> might just be what melted your steely cold heart last night, so you make sure to get done with the bathing quickly. After you've put on the tunic, pants and boots, on the way to the kitchen, Gareth limps and huffs down the stairs.\ </p> <h class='cb'> $mcNick:"You okay? Need some help?"</h> <h class='s'> Gareth:"I'm carrying your fuckin' equipment down."</h> <h class='cb'> $mcNick:"Well at least it's not up. Take a break when we eat, if you want. We've got plenty of time still."</h> <h class='s'> Gareth:"I'm gonna get everything done and then eat. Maybe I'll make it in time to join you, maybe not. Is that all right?"</h> <h class='cb'> $mcNick:"Sure." The breach of manners was clear here, but the only person in the Manor is Anette and she couldn't even hear from the kitchen, so you respond as passively as you do. </h> <h class='pin'> Anette:"Good morning, Lord. Your food's almost ready." She says as you walk through the dining room and into the kitchen's door frame.</h> <h class='pin'> Anette:"Is the same as last night proper?"</h> <h class='cb'> $mcNick:"W-what?"</h> <h class='pin'> Anette:"Is the same food as from last night's supper okay?"</h> <h class='cb'> $mcNick:"Oh, sure, definitely. Last night was amazing. I'll get my things packed and then eat just before setting out, to keep me satiated as long as possible. Got it?"</h> <h class='pin'> Anette:"Yes, Sir."</h> [[30 Minutes Later|PREMODLISZ3]] </center>

<center> <p>About half an hour, Anette brings you and herself a plate of food each. After another quarter of an hour passes, the two of you just sit and talk with each other. </p> <h class='pin'> Anette:"I'm gonna head out today and find those servants for the Manor, by the way." </h> <h class='cb'> $mcNick:"Perfect. Make sure they listen to you. The Stewardess of my youth was a real demon. She passed away when I was about seven, well I won't say fortunately, but I certainly breathed a lot more easily when her position was taken by Gustav, who still is Steward, as far as I know."</h> <h class='pin'> Anette:"D'you miss hoe-home?"</h> <h class='cb'> $mcNick:"Well, I'm not a farmer, so I don't miss any hoes, but I... sure, sort of, haven't thought about it really. Most of the time, I've been thinking about not getting killed and killing. But that's not something a Lady should have to hear about."</h> <h class='pin'> Anette:"Right. Well, I'll go and clean these dishes now, Sir. You just make sure you're prepared and safe."</h> <p>You think to yourself for a second. She's slightly unsure of what happened last night, what it meant, and whether she overstepped boundaries with a Lord. Hence why you're being adressed formally, why she's cutting the conversation short, why she's stumbling on her sentences. Or, perhaps she's just doing her work and you're overspeculating. Regardless, you take the risk and say:<h class='cb'>"Sure, just one thing."</h>, while stepping between her and the kitchen door, and grabbing her face and kissing all over her cheeks. So much for that cold heart. The Lady's response is to blush fiercely and silently while sucking up her lips as if to rein them in from responding. Then she lays the dishes back down onto the table and hugs you very tightly.</p> <img src="images/BB/Anette/HugSmall.webp"> <h class='pin'> Anette leans in close and stops just short of kissing you:"//I'll miss you so very much. Please be safe.//"</h> <h class='cb'> $mcNick:"See you soon, then. I'll make sure to be back. You still have my blanket, after all."</h> <h class='pin'> Anette:"Hahahaha... Okay. Hehe. I believe you. Bye, $mcNick."</h> [[Continue|MODLISZ1]] </center>

<center>\ <<set $Squadron=100>>\ <<set $SquadronVeterans=30>>\ <p>\ <img src="images/BB/misc/INFARMY.webp" align=left>A mere ten minutes later, Modlisz and you have already introduced and set out, you look at Gareth's dumb ass having to eat on a horse, cause he delayed too long and chuckle silently. The squadron of Lancers you command are mostly, that Lancers. The only light cavalry you could form are the Sergeants from the Lancers' Nobility, such as Gareth. You number, therefore, $Squadron men, $SquadronVeterans of whom are Veterans, the rest of whom are your peers in age, with various experience and success, of whom $TomitMen are the ones who survived in the battle against the Greatswords during the Assault of Tomit. Speaking of Greatswords, this army really does indeed consist of large swathes of Holliks. You see row upon row upon column upon column of Red and Blue colors of Höll in the army. As per Modlisz's words, there's just below three thousand Holliks. Excluding any Hollik men in his actual retinue, of course. Those men wear the Gold colors of Modlisz's House and the Kingdom itself. This Infantry-Heavy Army is chock-full of Footmen, all of them prepared and eager to do battle. The Men are experienced and well equipped, battle tested, and where they aren't, they make up for it in attitude. The Supporting elements, including your own Cavalry, and the Marksmen and Skirmishers, of whom there are altogether about 1100, themselves are also an extension of this well trained and beautiful Fighting core. And all of these elements together serve to contrast their Top Commander, Modlisz of Holm. He is fat, red-faced, lacks muscle in all the necessary places, and you're pretty sure he was the loudest and drunkest a couple of nights ago, at the jubilation. One of the Dancing Girls just barely managed to fight his grip off, if you remember correctly. The only comfort here is that, thus far, he's let a man named Odin (probably a nickname), who you assume is his Houseguard and Sergeant, give all the orders so far. He is muscular, scarred, shaved clean and looks every bit the war veteran he is. Other than the introduction, you've had little interaction with Modlisz. After shaking hands, he went straight for the Carriage, which he seems to have invested some money into at least, and has been sitting there for the ride the whole time. It's a pretty nice carriage, not just those hastily-formed cheap wooden scraps with wheels that most armies field.... </p> <h class='s'> Gareth:"It's a pretty nice carriage."</h> <h class='cb'> $mcNick:"I was just about to say that. You see that Odin guy? He seems like a much scrappier Sergeant than you."</h> <h class='s'> Gareth:"Hey, that's not fair...", he says and looks around,:"~~I can't retort by comparing you to Modlisz, he's a fool compared to you, or anyone.~~"</h> <h class='cb'> $mcNick:"Hah! Sure, well, you know, it's a tough time being in my awesome presence."</h> <p>And so your brotherly ball-busting competition starts, which you know is going to take up the majority of your time during the planned 8-day trip towards the Banoyuzun, southwards.</p> [[8 days later...|MARCHWEST]] </center>

<center>\ <p>Eight long days of marching have passed and you've not even gotten close to where you're supposed to be. The Army is functional, but has been given too many breaks and pauses. You're stopped at Banoyuzun, Banoyuzun Province, named that way cause it's the capital of the province. It isn't however, the main logistical hub of the Faiz Army, and it's done fine work absorbing the advance of Modlisz's Army so far. You expected stiffer resistance thus far, including in the capital here, but you've only met hastily equipped militia and very few soldiers in the town. The town sits just west of a river whose name you can't pronounce, so you don't even bother to learn it. The fact that you're supposed to be on the move towards Gernstetnau only serves to support your neglect towards learning the surrounding geography. </p> <img src="images/BB/Map/Banoyuzun.png" height=550 width=900> <p>Modlisz insisted on getting the Town as peacefully as possible, even though it was lightly manned and you're quite certain that your Squadron alone would've been able to take it. Gareth and you have speculated that he wants to stay in the city and rest for a while, as if there hasn't been enough resting throughout the last couple of days. The slowness of the advance has been supremely frustrating to both you and the majority of the other men, yet nobody dares bring it up, considering the difference in rank or prestige. It ultimately falls to you, both as the second top commander, at least of the Nobility, and as the most well-known in this Army to press Modlisz for advance. After another tour of the town with your patrolling horsemen, you ask one of the Hollik Greatswords where Modlisz is, who points you to the center building; the Administrative Palace. </p> [[Go in|MODLISZCONFRONT]] </center>

<center><p>\ <img src="images/BB/misc/Palace.webp" width=50% align=left>\ Marching into what is likely called Modlisz's Palace for the time being, you gather up nerve and walk by someone talking about ships and sailing. The frustration you feel already through the lack of progress is already high, this gentleman's distraction only frustrates you further. Eight days ago, the Army was in very high spirits and ready to fight a force twice its' size, now people are groaning and wishing to be elsewhere. You just barely manage to calm yourself so as not to yell at the sea-loving guard and walk into the central chamber down the hall from the entrance, where at a long ornamented table sits... Modlisz. Around him are a couple of women, one brown-ish, the other very, very pale. They stop laughing when they spot you. </p> <h class='cb'> $mcNick:"Commander Holm!" You see no reason to be hostile, but you do need to be firm.</h> <h class='gold'> Modlisz:"Yes, $mcNick? How may I help you?"</h> <h class='cb'> $mcNick:"Will the Army continue it's advance today?"</h> <h class='gold'> Modlisz:"The Army? No, of course not."</h> <h class='cb'> $mcNick:"Of... Sir, with all due respect, the Army is still supposed to take Finch, before eventually going down to Gern. We were supposed to be there today, and only now we've managed to take Banoyuzun. Are we not supposed to hurry it up? ''8 days was more than enough!''" You yell out the last part a bit more forcefully than you wanted.</h> <h class='gold'> Modlisz:"Well you're in luck, kid. You're headed to Gern immediately. I've requisitioned the purchase of ships in the dock just east of this Palace. Your Cavalry and four thousand men are to embark and sail down the river to our goal within the hour." Gern is what you've all been calling the bulwark of Gernstetnau, which is one of the objectives for this army. </h> <h class='cb'> $mcNick:"W-w...what?"</h> <h class='gold'> Modlisz:"You! And the Cavalry and half the Army is to set sail within the hour, //boy//. You're going to take Gern first, and we'll leave Finch for later. Or rather, we will advance southwards, and you northwards after assaulting Gern. They're likely not at full strength in Gern anyway, probably waiting for us to be spotted near Finch first. It should be easy."</h> <h class='cb'> $mcNick:"Understood."</h> <p>Maybe you should've given him more credit, Modlisz seems to actually have a plan. While you still won't get there in the 8 days you should've been there. It's possible that more enemies will be killed and captured this way, while still accomplishing the original goal of cutting off supplies to the surrounding lands. Not that they can't still forage and take up blades. But the Faizis firmly hold their muskets and cannon close to heart. That's not something they can get just anywhere. If you're able to cut that supply off, the entire army west of Banoyuzun will have a much harder time defending against the Swiatlan cavalry. This is a decent plan, but all plans can go wrong. Still, Modlisz's words echo in your mind an hour later, when you're embarking alongside Odin. They're still in your mind by the time you disembark, just beyond the outskirts of Gern. </p> [["It should be easy."|GERNASSAULT]] </center>

<center><p>\ It isn't easy. Gern sits on a slight hilltop, sure, but it has no walls, nor is it even that large. But the army nestled in it's streets is by no means small or inefficient. From the recon you've received there's between a thousand and two thousand men waiting for your troops behind every single alleyway, every single street, every single corner. The enemy have built barricades in the streets, dug in trenches and seem to be planning to fight you every step of the way. A quick discussion between Odin and you considered the potential of dismounting your Cavalry, but you concluded there's no reason to do so. A siege is also out of the question, this needs to be taken quickly, or Finch might threaten you. The only good thing is that there are no cannons that anyone has spotted yet. </p> <p>When the order for the first advance was given, the infantry went in slowly, reaching the point just before they would be in effective musket range. The defenders had not answered yet. Then, Odin suggested they be sent further, at which point they did, only to discover that just after they suffered the first volley fire, a row upon row of arrows revealed themselves from behind the various houses obscuring your view. The formation broke and routed, unable to sustain both gunpowder and arrow assaulting them.</p>\ <p><img src="Images/BB/misc/URBANWAR.webp" align=left>\ The second advance, is with cavalry. Odin, the Captain, suggested you move with the main Assault force right through the central Spine of the town and exit through the other side, while another half of the Cavalry advances from the side. The Lancers would lead the way, naturally, as they would trample the light cavalry if they were in front. You countered that the order would be ludicrous, and the two troops of horse might run into one another, disrupting each other in their assault and in their survival. One of Lancers, a fellow Noble, however, supported the idea. You've no idea what he's Lord of, or rather, where that place is, but he, Baron Rolesh, you gather is friendly, and perhaps vassal to Modlisz of Holm, as he's supporting Odin's suggestion quite fiercely. Nominally, Odin here doesn't have any authority to mess up whatever plan ''you'' make, as the Top Commander, but in practise, being the second-in-command of Modlisz, and the real mastermind behind anything Modlisz does, Odin is who everyone looks to as the Commander. Not that the escapade which made you ''Black Baron'' doesn't mean anything, he just has more experience. After some back and forth, you conclude that further delaying the assault with your arguing will only lessen the chances of success, so you appease the opposing camp and offer, that should the first assault fail, there will be a pincer maneuver instead. To that, everyone agrees and Baron Rolesh and Odin even smile up to their eyes as they look at each other. Maybe you really are a natural-born leader. </p> <p>You and some sixty-odd men get into position, form a wedge and [[Advance!|GERNCAV]]</p> </center>

<center> <p>Behind you, you think you heard more horsemen moving further than there should be, but you don't dare turn to check, and after getting to the opposite side of the city, you look around and see as many cavalry as are supposed to be with you. The reason you're charging from this side, is so that the defenders on the side where infantry will be attacking from will have to either get on the opposite side of their barricades, and leave themselves vulnerable to the infantry, or be cut down by you and the other Lancers. You expect the former. Everyone inspects their equipment one last time, and you sound the ''Advance''.</p> <<set $GarethInjuredGern to 0>> <p>The charge goes very well, at first. The barricades are the biggest obstacle, where defenders are able to hide behind and avoid being cut down. Dugouts and trenches they've built are not wide or numerous enough to be a problem for the horses, and soon you're nearing the center, where just the slightest of turns will require you to move right and charge onwards out of the city, attacking the defenders from their behind. There are slightly more casualties than expected, two men drop instead of one, but you're still perfectly fine.<<set $Squadron-=2>> While passing the center of the town, you hear a commotion from the right, and brace without looking. Nothing happens and you pass the center. Once you're thirty meters away, a silence, or rather a lack of commotion at your back alerts you. When you turn to check it out, you see that behind you are four Lancers and the rest are still in the center, slowly, but surely extricating themselves from a charge led by Baron Rolesh which went right into the side of your charge. </p> <img src="images/BB/misc/CavClash.png"> <p> You understand that your men are already working to continue onwards to you and will almost certainly manage to get out, just as the other Cavalry troop will be able to, though with more casualties. There is however, one problem, Rolesh and another Horseman seem to have clashed and unseated each other. If they aren't rescued, who knows what will happen when the defenders reach them. Provided that they don't rescue themselves anyway. You don't know who the other Horseman is, but Rolesh is easily recognizable with his Red-plumed Helmet. Do you go to help? <<if $Command+$Piety>=50>>A Commander, and Noble, is responsible for all those under them, even the morons.<</if>></p> [[Advance|GERNCAVEXIT]] [[Go Help|GERNCAVHELP]] </center>

<center> <<if $GarethInjuredGern==0>><<set $Command+=15>><p>You push and order the others around, miraculously not being cut down yourself in the process, and finally find the dazed soldier who you identify as Gareth. He's wobbly and rubbery, but not so senile as to be unable to identify the chaos and quickly mount behind his Lord, as the two of you ride your poor tormented horse toward the main group of Horsemen.</p> <h class='s'>Gareth:"I forgive you for Kayl... Kyea... for the girl, whatever her name!", It's a good thing he's got enough breath in him for yelling, at least.</h> <p>You tell him to shut up as you ride on.</p><</if>>\ <img src="images/BB/misc/Knights.webp"><<set $Command-=15>> <p>By now, a sizable core of friendly infantry is advancing, exploiting the gaps created by your advance, which is probably the only reason enemy muskets and bows have not managed to decimate the cavalry waiting for their Commander. Your group picks up pace again, as you rejoin and lead them, this time from the middle-back, and gallop the last stretch out of the town. The Infantry yells and hurrahs as you pass them.</p> [[Ten minutes later...|GERNOUT]] </center>

<center> <img src="images/BB/misc/CavSword.webp"> <p>You ride quickly back to the center, and reach the Red-tinted idiot called Rolesh. Just in time, too, as he's quickly targeted by arrows, which your and other friendly shields block from ever reaching him. Scared, but still Lucid, he's able to latch onto and mount the back of another horseman. Now the other guy, who you can't locate, was likely light cavalry, and probably far more dazed. In the chaos of this urban warfare, you're unable to locate him. Perhaps he's under you, perhaps somewhere behind one of the many horsemen now cautiously stepping around each other, trying to scatter so they don't make bigger targets. </p> <<if $Martial>40>>[[Push around to find him|GERNCAVEXIT]]<</if>> <<if $Command>40>>[["Move! Scatter!"|GERNCAVEXIT]]<</if>> <<if $Piety > 40>>[["For the love of the Almighty, MOVE!"|GERNCAVEXIT]]<</if>> [[Leave the Peasant and continue the charge|GERNCAVEXIT][$GarethInjuredGern=1]] </center>

<center> <p><<if $GarethInjuredGern>><img src="images/BB/misc/Surgery.webp" width=65% align=left><<else>><img src="images/BB/misc/Concussion.webp" align=left width=65%><</if>>\ The fighting is bitter and long, but you're no part of it. The cavalry has done it's work, and regardless of how desperate things might be, the sheer numerical advantage means your Army will take the town. And the goal of this detachment has been achieved. At least something has gone right.<<if $GarethInjuredGern>> Right now you're watching Gareth be bandaged because of the idiot that felt his personal glory was more important than group cohesion. <<else>> Right now you're watching Gareth as a physician checks his bones and head for fractures and concussions. <</if>> All this because Rolesh couldn't take his orders silently. </p> <p>After ascertaining that your sergeant and friend is okay, which he is<<if $GarethInjuredGern>>, though with significant wounds<</if>>, you go out and have a yell and shouting match with the insubordinate Baron known as Rolesh. It lasts for the entirety of the rest of the battle, and by the time you're done, all you've achieved is getting a hoarse throat, or at least, that's what you feel at first. <<if $GarethInjuredGern==0>>In the coming days, you come to a realization that the rest of the Nobility, well the ones in your Squadron, have ostracized him, after the silent order given by their Commander - you.<</if>> After some time of careful observation, you notice Odin and him going along quite nicely with each other, and there is no other conclusion that one can gather from all this, but that the infantry, Odin and Hrabia Holm, or Modlisz, will be getting all the credit, while the Cavalry here are likely to be blamed for the slow and harsh taking of Gern. And, even though Rolesh is himself a Noble and part of the Cavalry, he's a vassal to Modlisz and likely will be getting quite a nice reward. Unless you're being paranoid, that is. Regardless, your only concern in the days following, during which you go to Finch to find it already taken, is Gareth, and his health. <<if $GarethInjuredGern>> He's not well even two days after. <<else>> He seems fine before the first night ends.<</if>>\ </p> [[Three days later...|FINCHREPORT]] </center>

<center> <<set $Finchissue=0>>\ <p><img src="images/BB/misc/fat.png" width=35% align=left >\ Days later, you arrive to Finch, and find it nicely decorated. Decorated with bodies, that is. After witnessing the seemingly immediate aftermath of this battle, you deduce that perhaps the battle of Gern wasn't nearly as bad and gruelling as it could've been. Finch displays three or four dead men of attacking colors for every dead man of defending colors. You walk slowly, or rather trot with your horse down the streets, periodically hearing hurrahs and greetings from some of the occupying forces. Following the trail of bodies and massing guards, you end up at a building in the middle of a square that undoubtedly is where Modlisz will be staying. You've to report to him, after all. Finch is slightly bigger than Gern, however. Perhaps the Faizis blundered in making Gern their last defense, rather than Finch. It's far more flat, including it's surroundings, but it's also bigger and more urban, it should've been easily defendable. Regardless, enemy thinking are not your concern, so you dismount and walk into the Town Hall. Similarly to that other place in Banoyuzun, there's a spot where Modlisz is drinking some wine, alone this time, and waiting for the successes to come to him. And so you do. </p> <h class='cb'> $mcNick:"Good day, Hrabia Holm. We've captured Gern, as you've already heard, and come back with a thousand men to support the Main Army, as requested."</h> <h class='gold'> Modlisz:"Good day, $mcNick. We sure gave it to them, HAH! Good work. I knew you could do it." </h> <p> He doesn't say anything more and seems to almost goad you with the lack of comment. <<if $GarethInjuredGern>>And to think, people lost lives because of his maneuver.<</if>></p> [[Say Something.|FINCHANGER]] [[Just accept you've been outmaneuvered.|FINCHSILENT]] </center>

<center><<set $Finchissue=0>> <h class='cb'> $mcNick:"Your Baron, Rolesh, is insubordinate and ought to be flogged."</h> <h class='gold'> Modlisz:"Oh? How so?"</h> <p>You explain the situation, as calmly as possible, so as not to give the Hrabia any argument when this issue comes in front of someone ranking above you both, who will be under heavy pressure to side with the higher-ranking Noble. After a minute, you finish and stand silent.</p> <h class='gold'> Modlisz:"Well, I'll make sure to reprimand him for that.", he says, and you can't help but be shocked.</h> <h class='gold'> Modlisz:"Now then... why are you surprised?"</h> <h class='cb'> $mcNick:"I... I thought that since..."</h> <h class='gold'> Modlisz:"''That I'd set my own Army against itself? Get a grip of yourself!'' Do not forget that my County stands just beyond Höll, and was most deeply affected! That my troops fought the invaders first. That I'd to see burned villages full of people I'd known my whole life! Why would I sabotage the Army. I want the Faizis fucked more than anyone in Swiatla!"</h> <p> You're at a loss for words, so, unable to muster a more intelligent response, you utter:</p> <h class='cb'> $mcNick:"You're right. Sorry, sir."</h> <h class='gold'> Modlisz:"Pah, it's fine. It's better that you bring it up than be quiet.<<if $Piety>40>> You're a fine man, Young $mcTitle.<</if>>"</h> <h class='gold'> Modlisz:"Regardless, I've received orders to send you and as many troops as possible back to Tomit, while keeping Banoyuzun with a skeleton crew. You're to start marching tomorrow morning."</h> <h class='cb'>[["Yes, Sir"|FINCHFUN]]</h> </center>

<center><<set $Finchissue=1>> <<set $Piety-=5>>\ <<set $Fame-=10>>\ <<set $Command-=10>>\ <p> You seethe, but manage to keep it silent. Perhaps you're already looking like a mess, having been on the march for days, almost immediately after a battle, where, well no need to think about what happened again. If you do, maybe the anger will come out and not remain silent. </p> <h class='gold'> Modlisz:"Anyhow, I've received orders to send you and as many troops as possible back to Tomit, while keeping Banoyuzun with a skeleton crew. You're to start marching tomorrow morning."</h> <h class='gold'> Modlisz:"Anything else?"</h> <h class='cb'> $mcNick:"No, sir. That was all. Good luck."</h> <h class='gold'> Modlisz:"Good. Good luck to you too.<<if $Piety>40>> You're a fine young $mcTitle, Lord Czarny. Remember that.<</if>></h> <p> The Fiend names you personally, goading you further. No matter how much discipline one has, tis kind of thing is surely to stick in your mind and affect your future actions. The day passes quickly as you check back on the Squadron, find someplace to bathe and prepare for the travle. The Night passes slowly, you spend it tossing and turning feverishly.</p> [[March|FINCHFUN]] </center>

<center> <p><img src="images/BB/misc/Village.webp" align=left>You're to march tomorrow morning, but that doesn't mean you can't spend the day doing something else entirely. Finch is an ugly town, and you've arrived in the early hours when the sun is just shining through it's sides, making the streets look even uglier. The ramshackle huts in which most of the peasants live are still of the style and technological development which your Kingdom has surpassed about a hundred years ago. Furthermore, it seems extended households often live in these huts, meaning the crappy huts are overflowing with Faizis. The only somewhat fancy part of Finch is the "Center", by which one refers to the Town Hall and three buildings made in similar modern style. Oh well, you might as well go there, maybe find a place to drink. </p> [[Continue|FINCHTAVERN]] </center>

<center> <p><img src="images/BB/Anette/Hug.gif" align=left> <h class='pin'> Anette:"AAAAAAAAH!"</h> <h class='cb'> $mcNick:"Nice to see you too."</h> The Young Lady, or rather the Stewardess, first looked out from behid an open door with caution in her eyes, then spotted the Lord of the Manor, and immediately, shrieked while running into a carry-hug. The shriek alerted <<if $ManorStandard=="Rich">> five other people, some servants and a chef. <<else>> a couple of servants.<</if>> What servants, one might wonder? Well it doesn't matter, you meet them and forget the names as soon as hearing them, as you're so tired you'd like to just plop your sorry behind on the bed, which is exactly what you do after excusing yourself from the little lady. She doesn't accept any of these excuses, but fortunately Gareth finishes stabling your horses just outside, walks in, and at that point you manage to sic Anette on him, like a dog. He suffered during the dreadful assault on Gern, after all. He should receive the highest standard of care. Or so you manage to spin a tale. <<if $GarethInjuredGern>> Well, not really a tale, as he really does seem to still be injured, with the right shoulder being far weaker than it ought to be.<</if>> </p> [[Sleep|TOMITANETTEFREEDAY]] </center>

<center> <p> When you fell asleep, it was just after sundown, still some rays of light outside. Probably six or seven in the evening. You've woken up now and it's complete light outside, and seems it's been light for at least a couple of hours. Your eyes feel like weights, and only when you pull back the curtains to ascertain what time it is, the curtains which Anette seems to have added in the past week or two, are you able to, at first squint even more, and then let the golden rays of light shine over and elicit some lucidity from your body. A quick breakfast follows and Anette tells you of how much better the city is now that it isn't overcrowded with smelly and dirty fighting men. This finally breaks down your social defenses and the young Lady manages to convince you to walk around for a significant part of the day with her. </p> <img src="images/BB/Anette/Walk2.webp" align=left> <h class='cb'> $mcNick:"It is nice to see you, to be honest.</h> <h class='cb'>"And you're right."</h> <h class='pin'>"How so? I mean I am, but how so?"</h> <h class='cb'> "Well, it's nicer in Tomit now. Not overcrowded."</h> <h class='pin'> "Mmmm..."</h> <h class='cb'> "Empty even."</h> <h class='pin'> "Yeah, it's quieter than usual."</h> <h class='cb'> $mcNick:"Did you receive word of your father?"</h> <h class='pin'> Anette:"''YES''. Sorry, yes."</h> <h class='pin'> Anette:"Yes, I have. He's sent a message back, and said the war has brought many profits."</h> <h class='cb'> $mcNick:"I meant, more as in, will he be coming back? You'd like to reunite wouldn't you?"</h> <h class='pin'> Anette:"Hihi, yes, but his first few paragraphs were dedicated to the business, so I'm just quoting him. Yes, he's fine and coming back."</h> <h class='pin'> Anette:"Anyway he said he's between Klech and Drestr, or was when writing the message back, and that he would visit $mcRealm most likely."</h> <h class='cb'> $mcNick:"Oh, I hope it's not too destitute for him. Though I'm sure my Father would like to hear some news...."</h> <h class='pin'> Anette:"You don't write to him?"</h> <h class='cb'> $mcNick:"No... I hadn't even thought about it. We don't really have a very communicative relationship, I guess." </h> <h class='pin'> Anette:"Perhaps you should..."</h> <h class='cb'> $mcNick:"Yeah, I'll think about it. Anyway, what have you been doing for the past two weeks?" </h> <h class='pin'> Anette:"Oh so much! First, I found the maids..."</h> <p> As soon as she starts speaking, you stop listening, and somewhere in the deep in the back of your head, even regret asking. Regardless, the Lady seems to appreciate you "listening" even if aren't really, while she just vents and talks about her time. This is a valuable companionship for her, you realize and the strongly gripping feminine hand on your upper arm is quite a firm display of that. Still, thoughts of home keep invading your head and why no message has been sent to you by the $mcTitle or to him by you. These thoughts occupy your mind for the rest of the walk, until it ends, and they get cut short as Anette notifies you that you need a bath. A moment's self-inspection, discreetly convinces you that she's right. </p> [[Bathe|TOMITANETTEBJ]] </center>

<center> <<set $AnetteKiss=0>>\ <<set $AnetteBJ=0>>\ <p><img src="images/BB/misc/Cellar.webp" width=40% align=left> The girl disappears after telling you to <h class='pin'> wait</h>, and you have no spare clothes, and you expect her to come back so you wait clothed. For a second, a weird thought materializes, one in which Anette comes back to find you naked, washing your current, dirty clothes in the Bath where you're supposed to lay down. A slight chuckle in response to the thought makes you think you're going mad, while laughing alone in the middle of a stone cellar. The Lady comes back quickly afterward and you understand she's just trying to accomodate you as much as possible, having gone to take a spare set of clothes for you. She sets them down on something of a stone counter top, or that's what it reminds you of, and comes closer to you, and starts to unbutton your tunic. You resist at first, but she quickly changes your mind, and you see a kind of dedication in her eyes, which avoid your gaze and focus on the task at hand, as if to outrun any encroaching fear or apprehension, so you acquiesce and soon after she's hugging you, rubbing your chest, with an audible <h class='pin'>//"mmmmm..."//</h>. Seems the workout from warring and marching has given her something to look at. It's amusing, but the more amusing thing is when she starts throwing her own blouse on the stone floor, and throws your arms around her. </p> <p><img src="images/BB/Anette/BathHug.jpg" width=25% align=right>\ She's soft, and her heavy breasts are amazing to hold, nipples just about resisting your groping hands with ferocity. The two of you cross noses while you rub her breasts and she rubs your arms, squeezing periodically when you squeeze her breasts too much. The whole time she is either yelping, quietly but audibly moaning, or breathing intensely. Her cries get sharply cut off, however when you loose patience and lock lips with the lady. You painstakingly drag the left hand away from her breasts and stomach, bring it up towards her head, which feels so very small, and hold it in place while the kissing session goes on. When you separate, a small and weak <h class='pin'>"hihi...mmm"</h>, and you're convinced that she's indeed enjoying herself, despite the now clearly trembling hands and body. Still, you both power through and strip. The Lady is first to enter the Bath. She gestures for you to nestle your body between her back and the bath. </p> <video src="images/BB/Anette/BathScene.webm" controls loop> Something's Wrong, dumbass. </video>\ <p><img src="images/BB/Anette/BATHHJ2.webp" align=left><img src="images/BB/Anette/Titty.webp" align=right width=20%>\ The two of you make out for a while, when you receive a most scandalous order to pick her up. The insolence of a non-Noble should be punished in such situations, yet you do exactly as she says and set her down on the end of the bath, as requested. She draws your back to her chest, and grabs a hold of your Baronial Manhood. This continues for a while, when she goes back in front of you, and you don't miss the chance to slap her amazing bottom. As she moves back from the behind you to the other side of the bath, she lays down completely and plays with herself, and also establishes some rules. Meaning, no sex, she's a virgin, and a fairly young maiden, and doesn't want to be deflowered just yet. Regardless, she lifts herself up and starts to stroke you. About thirty seconds in she decides to speed up, and combined with the arousing sight of her naked breasts, you just barely stop yourself from finishing. </p> <video src="images/BB/Anette/BATHHJ1.webm" controls loop> Something's Wrong, dumbass. </video>\ <h class='cb'> $mcNick:"Put it in your mouth, beautiful."</h> <h class='pin'> Anette:"Heh"</h> <video src="images/BB/Anette/BATHBJ1.webm" controls loop> Something's Wrong, dumbass. </video>\ <h class='cb'> $mcNick:"Oh...I'm close..."</h> <p>You sit back down from the rim of the bath, as you almost overturn the entire thing at a moment when you reel back from pleasure, and watch closely as the beauty's pink lips envelop your entire penis.</p> <video src="images/BB/Anette/BATHBJCUM.webm" controls loop> Something's Wrong, dumbass. </video>\ <h class='cb'> $mcNick:"Oh yes sweetheart."</h> [[Continue|TOMITANETTEBJ2]] </center>

<center> <p> Next morning, you set off and march for half a week, reach Tomit in 4 days, fewer troops after all, plus some of the men have pillaged their way to horses and supplies, both of which allow the Army to travel faster. Upon reaching the city, a soldier guarding the entrance to the Upper District informs you that a messenger was supposed to receive you, but he's in the Royal Homestead currently. So you go and find what looks like a messenger, standing outside the entrance, sorting parchments on a wide table. </p> <h class='cb'> $mcNick:"Good day. lad"</h> Messenger:"Hellow. Are you from Banoyuzun?" <h class='cb'> $mcNick:"Well... I'm from $mcRealm, but sure, I've come from Banoyuzun."</h> Messenger:"Ruight. Just a seco... ah, here it is. //Your Baronial Majesty is expected to come to...//" <h class='cb'> $mcNick:"Right, right. Just tell me when and where, lad. I'd like to go rest."</h> Messenger:"Of course, Sir. It says, ahm, tomorrow night, come back here, and after receiving orders, you will set out the day after." <h class='cb'> $mcNick:"Thank you very much. Have a great day." The "great" part comes out without you intending to say it. You must be very happy at the free day which you'll get. Some rest finally.</h> <p> Next destination - [[the Manor|TOMITANETTEGREET]]</p> </center>

<center> <p><img src="images/BB/misc/Wench.jpg" align=left width=18%>You take a somewhat longer route through Finch on the way to the "center", trying to find a part of Finch that isn't ugly and undeveloped. You fail in doing so. However, the tavern near the Town Hall does look quite nice, and you step in, finding inside a couple of workers, and a single patron drinking at the bar. The man's back is bent over in an almost perfect half-circle, elbows being the only thing seemingly keeping his head from dropping down on the counter. You decide against sitting next to and talking to the gentleman, the man's clearly fighting a battle of his own there. It's a weirdly long time before the wench finally makes her way to you, considering there's basically no one else in here, but when she does, she does so nonchalantly, completely ignoring your impatient looking face. Seems they've no concept of brevity in Faiz. Regardless, she's a redheaded pale woman in the middle of Faiz, so you let it go. She probably gets enough comments already. You quickly place your order, and figure out even more quickly that there's a clear language barrier that neither of you can pierce, but somehow she figures out the word "beer", or so you hope. What the wench brings to your table later looks, tastes and smells like beer, so one must conclude she did understand. The wench is finally joined by another redhead, possibly her mother, with ''//humongous//'' tits. And so you drink and spend almost the rest of the day in there, drinking and having fun, being joined by some of your soldiers and the other Swiatlans, some Holliks too, at least the ones that are able to cross the language barrier. You feel as if your understanding of their language has gotten a lot better, too. This will do good for your reputation, the common soldiery loves when their Lords show their Noble arses among them. </p> [[Keep messing about|FINCHTAVERN2]] </center>

<center> <p>Some unknown amount of hours later, once you're well and truly drunk, gregarious as the rest of your drinking-mates, you decide to walk around somewhere, no clue where, everyone else either too drunk or too low-born to ask or stop you. It was a good time, but it's time for you to leave. You see a pair of legs leave through a doorway somewhere so naturally you follow. Walking further and further upstairs (?), weird way to get out of a tavern, you stop at a semi-open door. Whoa... </p> <p>What a woman! You walk in and look at her, clearly aroused. She mimicks some things with her hands, which can only be interpreted as money-clinking. Seems things are quite desperate in this town. Natural, of course, war hits the poor quite hard. What should you do? </p> <img src="images/BB/misc/JAYE1.webp" align=left height=700 width=350>\ <img src="images/BB/misc/JAYE2.webp" align=left height=700 width=250> <<if $gold>=30>>[[Pay her|FINCHBJ]]<</if>> [[Nobles take what they want|FINCHFORCE]] [[Go home and sleep|FINCHMARCH]] </center>

<center> <<set $Piety-=10>> <<set $gold-=30>> <p> Initially, she offers a handjob, with a quick shake of her hand, which you refuse of course, you point to her mouth instead, which she accepts but demands money. A weird communication process ensues, and you finally are forced to shell out thirty pieces of gold, which any Noble would certainly need, but still your drunk head doesn't allow any pulling back. </p> <video src="images/BB/misc/REDBJ.webm" controls autoplay muted loop> Something's Wrong, dumbass. </video>\ <p>She drops to her knees and indicates clasps her hands together for you to hold. Good service in this tavern. The mouth you put your member into is warm, wet and soft. Like a pot of honey, it's one of the most amazing feelings you've ever experienced. She coughs from time to time, but your pleasure is uninterrupted and constant. </p> <video src="images/BB/misc/REDBJ2.webm" controls autoplay muted loop> Something's Wrong, dumbass. </video>\ <p>The woman then starts working her tongue on the most prized jewels of your $mcTitley, and it feels weirdly good. The periodic tug and pull at your gonads almost draws you to ejaculation, but you manage to hold firm. </p> <video src="images/BB/misc/REDBJ3.webm" controls autoplay muted loop> Something's Wrong, dumbass. </video>\ <p>She goes back to requesting you hold her head and use her warm mouth for your pleasure, and man has she got good skill. You feel once again the sudden and pulsing periodic warm honey envelop your dick, which this time you're unable to resist from cumming of... </p> <video src="images/BB/misc/REDCUMP.webm" controls autoplay muted loop> Something's Wrong, dumbass. </video>\ <p> Unable to hold back, you pull her hair back and open her mouth, clearly indicating what you're about to do. She complies without problems, even smiles, and swallows everything you give her. Forgetting the fact that she speaks no word of Swiatlan, you thank her and go out. Good service in this tavern. </p> [[Go find a place to sleep|FINCHMARCH]] </center>

<center><<set $Piety-=30>> <p>Who does she think she is? Her town has been conquered, their menfolk slaughtered, and now she makes demands?! Idiot! She clearly doesn't understand the situation. You step forward and grab her tits, which makes the woman bring up her hands momentarily, but decides to endure it. Her giant red lips look tempting so you go straight for them. She either is very horny or doesn't like your beer-scented breath so she quickly drops to her knees and takes you into her mouth. </p> <img src="images/BB/misc/REDKISS.webp"> <p>You bring her up from her knees, and a confused look paints her face. She seems to think you're only going to use her mouth. Wrong. </p> <video src="images/BB/misc/REDDOG.webm" controls autoplay muted loop> Something's Wrong, dumbass. </video>\ <p>The woman offers some resistance and speaks a little in a language you don't understand, not that you'd stop even if she spoke Swiatlan. Her face shoved down into her own bed, she finally acquiesces and does nothing to stop you. </p> <video src="images/BB/misc/REDCUMF.webm" controls autoplay muted loop> Something's Wrong, dumbass. </video>\ <p>To her great happiness, something in your drunken Sinful head calls on you to pull out and cum all over her. She lays down, scared to move, to challenge the Noble in her own home, watching you dress. Somewhat casually she says goodbye back, or rather hums something that sounds similar to the goodbye you tell her. And then you're off. Sobered up through this horrible act, you walk back down and find a place to sleep before the return. </p> [[Continue|FINCHMARCH]] </center>

<center>\ <p><img src="images/BB/Anette/WIKI.webp" width=45% align=left>\ <h3>Anette, a Hollik girl you met during an evening walk through Tomit. She's a wealthy Commoner, being the daughter of a merchant based in Tomit, one of the best trading locations in the region. She's in her teenage years, though you're unsure how old, and it shows in her behaviour. She's of a generally demure, shy demeanor, but around you breaks into a sweet and girly attitude, always going out of her way to help, care for and nurture you. An optimistic girl, but one that still remembers she needs to care for herself, which in the case of a merchants' daughter, means she can be a bit greedy. She has grown on you quite a bit and made you quite happy with her decision to stay in the Manor. Your relationship with her is at $Arel.</h3>\ </p> </center>

<center> <img src="images/BB/misc/Wojewoda.jpg"> <p>The Wojewoda, or Grand Duke Wolnir, as his name ought to be, is the foremost military strategist in the entire Realm. A fierce warleader and a good warrior, he is respected by much of the Nobility both for his commanding skills as well as wealth and Noble status. He made his fortune from the rich western mountains of the Duchy of Kellistra, which many lives were sacrificed for. The southern lands of the Kingdom have long been treasured by Swiatla and her neighbors, sometimes enemies as well. For these reasons, the King and the Wojewoda have some tensions flaring bewteen them. <<if $KingWoj>>Your affinity in this power struggle is $KingWoj (King/Wojewoda)<</if>> </p>\ </center>\

<center>\ <p><img src="images/BB/misc/BaronTern.jpg" width=35% align=left>\ <h3>Baron Tern, or Robert Ambroz of Tern, as his sister knows him, is the brother of Lady Katherine Ambroz. He is just a couple of years older than you, and a warrior in his prime. His fighting style and equipment are, as is common among Hollik Nobility, a Greatsword and a thick suit of armor. He stands perpetually hunched over, very slightly, but noticably, and is almost as tall as you. One would have to acknowledge that he is a perfect example of what a young Nobleman ought to be, in character and appearance, if not for his hairline, which is either very weird, or just starting to recede. <<if $lkrel >=20 and $Chest is "MorozBreast">>The man takes duty and honor very seriously, and has rewarded you with a magnificent Breastplate for keeping his sister safe.<</if>> </h3></p> </center>

<center> <img src="images/BB/Anette/ANETTEBJSMILE.webp" align=right width=35%> <h class='cb'>$mcNick:"Mmh... that was phenomenal."</h> <h class='pin'> Anette:"Hihi, Almighty... I've never done that before."</h> <h class='cb'> $mcNick:"Well, I couldn't tell. Thank you." </h> <h class='pin'> Anette smiles and looks deeply into your eyes....</h> <h class='cb'> $mcNick:"...."</h> <h class='pin'> Anette, still looks up, only moving to hug you further.</h> <h class='cb'> $mcNick:"You're beautiful."</h> <h class='pin'> Anette:"Aaaaah! Thank you!"</h> <h class='cb'> $mcNick:"Alright, let's wash up." </h> <h class='pin'> Anette:"Let me."</h> [[5 minutes later|TOMITANETTEBJ3]] </center>

<center> <p><img src="images/BB/misc/ManorHall.webp" align=left>A brief bathing period after, you're dressed and headed off to receive your orders. Though far more empty, and headed by a Commander you recognize only by appearance, not name, the same Hall where you first received the assignment to take Banoyuzun. A brief conversation follows, and Hrabia Ukom, as he introduces himself, quickly explains that you're to reinforce an outpost just on the southwestern border between Höll and Faiz. You're to set out tomorrow, before sundown, and arrive there within three days. During the expedition toward Alpyo, you're in Charge, after you reach it, report to the Commander there. Thinking for a second after you exit the Grand Manor, you consider your options - It would be nice to purchase something for this trip, but there's nothing that works right now, most likely. Lady Katherine would surely love to hear about her brother, but it is quite late by now. One shouldn't risk such a spontaneous visit without having a good relationship already. </p> <<if $lkrel>=15>>[[Visit Lady Kat|TOMITLADYKAT]]<</if>> [[Just go home|TOMITRETURN]] </center>

<center> <p> <img src="images/BB/misc/NightStreets.webp" align=left> You're sure she'd not mind, after all, her brother's far away and he just survived one battle, how could she not be worried. No she'll be grateful for the news, most certainly. You just have to find her Residence. A nice evening walk, far nicer than the one where Sweet Anette was..... well, no reason to think about that. You walk for some twenty minutes, looking at the symbols and insignia of the various Manors and Villas, until you come up at one that reminds you of Tern (the village). Hopefully this is it. Knocking at the door, which clearly is marked with the words "Tern" on it, makes sure to relieve you of any stress about whether you're in the right place. </p> <h class='zh'> Agatha:"Hello? Oh it is you, m'Lord."</h> <h class='cb'> $mcNick:"Good Evening, is Lady Katherine available?"</h> <h class='zh'> Agatha:"It be pretty late, come sit, I see if Lady is fine."</h> <p>About ten more minutes pass and she presumably gets dressed, so when she comes down and the lights from this resplendent hall glimmer off her silvery gown, you must look like you've just seen a naked woman for the first time.</p> <h class='gri'> Lady Katherine:"Good evening, $mcNick. I hadn't realized you were back."</h> <h class='cb'> $mcNick:"Yes well, I apologize for the late call, but I ride back out tomorrow."</h> <h class='gri'> Lady Katherine:"Of course, I don't mind."<<if $lkrel>15>> She says and grabs your elbows, stepping closer to you.<</if>></h> <h class='gri'> Lady Katherine:"Come, let's sit in the living room. <<if $lkrel>=20>>Agatha, give us some privacy, please.<</if>>"</h> <h class='cb'> After sitting down, you at the head of the table, and she next to your right, you say:"I don't mean to intrude, simply thought you wanted to hear of your brother."</h> <p>And so you briefly tell her about his whereabouts, how he has been stationed somewhere from Kordeli to Banoyuzun, and he will likely be safe.</p> <<if $lkrel<20>> [[Set off|TOMITRETURN]]\ <<else>>\ <h class='gri'> Lady Katherine:"Well, you don't need to leave quite yet." She says, while dropping her plump bottom into your lap. </h> <img src="images/BB/Kat/SILVER.webp" > <<set $hadBj++>> <p> She kisses you, rubs and scratches your head, before finally dropping to her knees and pulling out your second sword.</p> <video src="images/BB/Kat/MANORBJ.webm" controls loop> Something's Wrong, dumbass. </video>\ <p>Determined to make you cum, she does not stop until your phallus trembles upon her lips, and finally bursts down those honeyed lips. She shows you her doing, as if to show off. This was way faster, and she's way better at this than Anette.</p> <h class='cb'> $mcNick:"Haaaargh, that was amazing!" you say as your body comes down from the momentary high.</h> <h class='gri'> Lady Katherine:"Thank ''you'' ... for the compliment as well as providing information about my brother." </h> <h class='gri'> Lady Katherine:"Now, I must go get my beauty sleep, so unless you would join me, I bid thee a good night!"</h> <p> As tempting as it is to say yes, one can understand that this was not a real offer, but an unnecessarily polite way of telling you to go away! With a quick <h class='cb'> "Good Night and sweet dreams"</h>, you wish her a good rest as well, and set off for your Manor</p> [[Continue|TOMITRETURN]] <</if>> </center>

<center><p>\ <img src="images/BB/Anette/HUGBED.webp" align=left>The walk back is quiet, lonely and chilly. The cool wind ruffles your hair, and invades through your clothes to touch where it has not been permitted. The moment your Manor's front entrance door is closed, you hear a hurried cluster of steps rushing towards you. Like an animal rushing after it's prey, Anette pursues without hesitation and welcomes the master of this house back. The master, that is to say, you, are tired and weary, which she seems to pick up on from your sluggish movements, so she simply grabs your hand and goes upstairs to your bed. What follows is a quick and easy, dreamless though comfortable sleep in the embrace of Anette. </p> <<linkreplace "Next Morning">> <p>The next morning sees you repeat an almost identical play of the previous time you had to set off for a mission, identical in practically all aspects, except its duration. You're quickly at the door hugging the stewardess of your Manor bye and immediately setting off for Alpyo, called Alpyoceli by the Faizis, Alpyo by the Gelli, hence the one the triune of Swialeni peoples have decided to call it as well. The Rathineans, the Holliks and Swiatlans maybe still fight and hate the Gelli quite often, but that hate pales in comparison to the one they all have for the Faizis, one exception amon the three, apparently being in the actual Grand Palace of Höll. [[Continue|ALPYOBEGIN]] </p> <</linkreplace>> </center>

''Made By'' Colossal PP Join us on [[https://www.reddit.com/r/BlackBaron/<-Reddit]] Support on: [[https://www.patreon.com/ColossalProjectProductions<-Patreon]] [[https://www.subscribestar.com/colossalprojectproductions<-Subscribestar]] [[https://ko-fi.com/colossalprojectproductions<-Kofi]]

<center> <p><b>Due to various reasons related to our availability on third-party platforms, this game has become a not just text-driven, but a text-only experience, and if you would like to acquire third party modifications to view the experience with media as a visual add-on, you may (and must) do so of your own free will. If you are confused as to where to find said imagepacks ask around in the community, perhaps on Reddit.</b> [[Continue to Prologue|Prologue]] </p> </center>

<center> <p><img src="images/BB/misc/STONEBLOCKS.webp" align=left>The trip to Alpyo, like all long trips, leaves you with nothing to spend your time on, except talk and think. Though your trusty Squadron has plenty to offer in conversation, your rather introspective mind has turned to contemplation as it often does. First, you think about the sharp differences between the lands of Höll and Faiz. Your trip through Faiz to your previous target took way longer than this, relatively similar distance you have to pass to get to Alpyo. The reason is quite apparent, in fact you're currently walking on it. Höll has plenty of well-paved roads, while Faiz has yet to provide you with the sight of even a single one. Of course, one has to mention the Town Hall where Modlisz and you almost came to a fight, the road was made not just gravel, but well-cut stony blocks, much like the one you are currently treading. Outside of that, there has been little development in Faiz territories, perhaps this lack of development compelled them to turn to stealing treasures from their neighbors? On the other hand, you know that they treat these lands, the ones bordering Swiatla, or Kellistra, and Höll, far more treacherously than the ones native to the Faizis. There are few Faizis in these lands, despite being a part of their Vizierlik for over a century. So this road, despite being dishevelled, increasingly so as you depart from more urban environments, is still a welcome sight and one you're growing increasingly attached to as yet another difference between you and the Faizis. Speaking of attachments... </p> [[Continue|ALPYOARRIVAL]] </center>

<center> <p><<if $KatKiss>>The relationship which has sprouted between you and the two women which have gotten to see your gentlemanly side has you somewhat split. Neither has even mentioned the idea of courting or marriage, though that seems like an obvious desire of every woman. <h class='gri'>Lady Katherine</h> has that elegant grace that would look good in any Noble's Palace. She is sure to grow your status and reputation, though seems like a somewhat fiery and difficult woman to tame. The young trader girl in some ways looks like her exact opposite.<</if>> <h class='pin'>Anette</h> is sweet, and has a smile that melts your jaded heart. Just thinking about the sight that welcomed you upon return from Modlisz's expedition gives your heart the signal to pump quickly, or maybe it's the Sun beating down on you for hours now. It is a good metaphor, though, this orb of Radiance which melts you away. That is precisely how Anette makes a man feel. Or at least this man. The sweet pearly whites hiding behind those plump, pillowy lips, and that dirty blonde hair hugging her head all make you lose your thoughts until you hear: </p> <h class='s'> Gareth:"Sir, we're here!"</h> <h class='cb'> $mcNick:"Hmmm? Oh, yes."</h> <p>You ride out of the loose column, ahead of everyone and ask one of the sentries:</p> <h class='cb'> $mcNick:"Good day.... uhmm, kid? Who is in charge here?"</h> <h class='s'> Sentry:"Good day, Sir. Are you $mcNick?" He says with a high-pitched voice.</h> <h class='cb'> $mcNick:"Indeed, now once again, who is in charge here, and where can the men post up?"</h> <<set $AlpyoCom to "Hrabia Host">> <h class='s'>There's a stable on the main road straight ahead, on the other side of the village. You can find the Commander, $AlpyoCom next to the big manor, you can see it from here... just go straight then ri..." </h> <h class='cb'> $mcNick:"Yes yes, I understand. Gareth, please go find and stable the horses. How old are you, boy?" </h> <h class='s'> Sentry:"I'm sixteen, Sir."</h> <h class='cb'> $mcNick:"Hrm." you say and set off to the </h> [[Commanders' Quarters.|ALPYOGREET]] </center>

<center>\ <<set $IsobelNoble to false>>\ <<set $BertholdWiki to false>>\ <<set $VayleWiki to false>>\ <p><img src="images/BB/misc/ALPYOVILLAGE.webp" align=left>The village of Alpyo, while not a particularly grand one, shows clear signs of prosperity, not just the sight of greenery, quite literally everywhere around you, but also the well-made wooden houses adorning the part of the village where the poor villagers live, more well-done wooden and even some stone houses, quite large, providing a sort of wall around the richest part of the village, where only the Commanders' Quarters, and a bigger and prettier Manor right next to it stand, right atop the hill. Both buildings made of stone. The location is quite beautiful, but more importantly it is defensible, for a village without walls. The many wooden houses, might burn, sure, but the ring of stone around the centre make it walled off in practise. Furthermore, the ascent has not been left gradual and smooth, but actually dug up and risen so one would have to climb up a waist or chest-high step anytime one wants to go further up towards the Manor and Quarters. A beautiful painting shows what the village once looked like, almost unrecognizable, with the trees hugging around it, and far fewer houses, all of them wooden, connected by a now stone road, but what used to be a simple dirt path. Seems Höll's trading exploitation has benefitted the place quite a bit. The village looks a lot like what your $mcTitley should be, if not for the unnerving amount of debt waiting for your Father to die, so it could then choke you. </p> [[Continue|ALPYOQUARTERS]] </center>

<<set $AlpyoIsobelDeal to false>>\ <<set $AlpyoIsobelMC to false>>\ <<set $IsobelBlindSex to false>>\ <<set $AlpyoServSex to false>>\ <<set $GarethClothGift to false>>\ <center> <p><img src="images/BB/misc/COMMAND.webp" align=left> The Manor, now on your left, clearly looks better, more decorated and wealthy than the Quarters, An incredibly unusual trait, particularly for a village that basically nobody knows about. Whenever an Army, or similar military force takes over a village, such as this one, the Commander of the Army tends to take the central building, Town Hall, Palace, whatever it may be, for his own administration duties. When there is a building more beautiful and resplendent, he takes that one because it generally stands right next to or in a similar part of any settlement where the actual administrative center is. That is also the case here, quite obviously, yet the Manor isn't taken over, and presumably has stayed in the hands of the original owner. Quite curious, this unusual trait occupies your mind as the doors to the Command open. </p> <h class='he'>$AlpyoCom:"Good Day. $mcNick, correct?" He offers a hand.</h> <h class='cb'> $mcNick:"Yes, indeed. Good to meet you." You shake hands.</h> <h class='he'> $AlpyoCom:"I'm afraid today is a busy day, so I apologize for requesting that we be quick. Oh, and I'm Hrabia Gniewomir Host."</h> <<if $rank eq "Noble">><h class='he'> $AlpyoCom:"So, you're the Black Baron?"</h> <h class='cb'> $mcNick:"Yes."</h> <h class='he'> $AlpyoCom:"Mmmhm. You got that name from the assault on Tomit? Saving the Wojewoda's son?"</h> <h class='cb'> $mcNick:"Yes."</h> <h class='he'> $AlpyoCom:"Okay, well then. You may go rest. I'll leave you with 20 men to patrol and recon."</h> [[Continue|ALPYOFAIL]] <<else>> <h class='he'> $AlpyoCom:"So, you're a Lieutenant?"</h> <h class='cb'> $mcNick:"Uhmm, yeah. I suppose I am. I was made one after my first battle, just as the war started."</h> <h class='he'> $AlpyoCom:"Mmmmmm, that's good... even better than I thought. I thought it was after Tomit. So you've a penchant for leadership?"</h> <h class='cb'> $mcNick:"Well, I'm not one to brag, but I try to keep a cool head, and command what is ehmmm...."</h> <h class='he'> $AlpyoCom:"Good, I'll be frank with you, $mcNick, the leadership has really delivered crappy men to garrison this place. The men aren't even that bad, just green, but we have too few leaders. The only tested Commanders here are myself, my Sergeant and Lady Isobel's mercenaries, or some of them. She fought, or rather her men fought the Faizis just a couple of hours before we came to take Alpyo. Some tax thing. We need as much good leadership here as possible, so I'll have you hold onto your entire Squadron. Is that okay?"</h> <h class='cb'> $mcNick:"Yes, of course."</h> <h class='he'> $AlpyoCom:"Good. Go rest, and come back tomorrow morning, before noon. Your men are needed to scout and patrol..."</h> [[Continue|ALPYOSUCCESS]] <</if>> </center>

<center> <p> You seem to have impressed upon the other Nobility how good you are at commanding, as it appears Hrabia Host intended to take over command of your reinforcement group. How does this apparent success make you feel?</p> [[Vigilant of my duty|LIEALPYO1][$Command+=5]] [[Numb|LIEALPYO1]] [[Like I am right where I belong|LIEALPYO1][$Ambition+=1]] </center>

<center><<set $Morale=35>> <p>You've effectively just been stripped of command. The military order which is present in Swiatla allows for this kind of absolutism, where someone as lowly as this unknown Hrabia is capable of stripping you of leadership which you have deserved with every drop of sweat and blood you've shed for the Kingdom. Thoughts swirl around your head, chaotic and varied. You must compose yourself and keep from breaking down. A focused sadness is better than a mixture of anger and desperation. Yet, how can one feel in this kind of situation? Is it perhaps sadness, that your hard work is unrecognized? Is it anger, that your House's pride has been damaged? Is it pure frustration, having been denied the chance to improve yourself through service, as well as serve your Kingdom? How do you feel? </p> [[I feel pure wrath.|REGALPYO1][$Dread+=10]] [[Sadness. My short-lived leadership was calming me.|REGALPYO1][$Command+=10]] [[There is yet opportunity for glory in this war. Setbacks like this will not stop me.|REGALPYO1][$Ambition+=1]] </center>

<center> <p><img src='images/BB/Alpyo/BARRACKSOUTSIDE.jpg' width=65% align=left>\ And that feeling, you turn into a state. A state of being, which crystallizes at your will, and grips your entirety on the way to the barracks, which seems to be where you will stay. The majority of the Swiatlan garrison in this town are housed in a different location, on the other side of the village, about sixty steps towards your left, downhill from where you stand. For how densely packed Alpyo seems to be, it's surprisingly empty. The greenery looks largely utouched and fine. There's few people outside of their homes, and it would make sense for the undefended unarmed villagers to hide from potential harm by the armed garrison from your, foreign Kingdom. But that's the weird part, much of the soldiery seems to be missing as well. There's clear signs of partying over there, a bit of music can be heard and plenty of shouts and drinking, but not much else. Why this place is so empty is truly confusing, yet that confusion only serves to remind you of your fatigue, which drives you further inside the cavalry barracks, where Berthold, a fellow Lancer, and part of your Squadron directs you to one of the more pompous rooms upstairs. You immediately collapse on the bed and fall asleep. </p> [[Sleep|REGALPYOSLEEP]] </center>

<center> <p><img src="images/BB/Alpyo/DARKFOREST.webp" align=left>\ You dream of a dark and dense forest, full of death, yet replete with leaves, as dark as its surroundings, but lively. The branches hold grip at each other, preventing you from walking anywhere. You feel scared, but not paralyzed and slowly, the way forward opens for you. It is up and over the branches. As you reach the top, and just barely draw a weakly propped up head above the last branch, the field of golden leaves, trees bursting with divinity, their image filling your eyesight is truly........ [[Resplendent.|REGALPYO2]] </p> </center>

<center> <p><img src="images/BB/Alpyo/GOLDBLOCK.webp" align=left>\ This building, just down the main walkway from the central command and to the right, being almost a part of the Great Manor belonging to Lady Isobel, was supposed to be an expansion and house an resized and improved retinue of her mercenary guards, who act as something of a local militia. Though, militia is not the word one should call them, as in reality, they're something more akin to a House Guard, at least in level of equipment and training provided for them. This background of the building, perhaps explains, why the view which replaces whatever you dreamt of last night, is one of a very intricately designed black and gold ceiling block, and not a plain and generally flat ceiling found in most residences, certainly ones for soldiers. It's a beautiful look, and makes you curious about this Lady and her background. Black and gold was being shown off both on the guards' uniforms, the few of them that you came across, as well as in front of the Manor on the flags. Yet she is, to the best of your knowledge, simply a rich woman, not a Noble. The day was quite late by the time you fell asleep, though the sun had not yet set, so you speculate that the sun bursting through your single window is most likely a rising one, and you've not lost the day yet. You walk out after a quick dress and wash, to find Gareth handling some things on paper, looking down at the dining area from the top of the stair walkway. He is sorting things through, writing some things down, and looking to his left at a map, occasionally marking things down. You get on your way walking down the stairs, when another Lord walks by and starts talking to Gareth, sitting down next to him at the table. </p> Baron Vayl:"You know how to read? You're a Sergeant, aren't you?" <h class='s'> Gareth:"Hm? Oh, yes, sir. To both of those."</h> <h class='vay'>Baron Vayl:"How did you learn that? Is that why $mcNick hired you?"</h> <h class='s'> Gareth:"Uhmm... well, I grew up in $mcRealm alongside my Lord, so I was given the privilege of an education."</h> <h class='vay'>Baron Vayl:"Hmmm... how queer. Yet I'm certain that trait of your home must be quite advantageous. My sergeant is quite intelligent, but not as literate."</h> <<if $Fame gte 30>> <h class='vay'> Baron Vayl:"Ah, $mcNick, I had just been inquiring about your great home. I must visit this heavenly place one day, where leadership is born and the Peasantry is even literate.</h> <</if>>\ <p>For a second, you look at the fellow as if he's a moron, forgetting for a moment that he's a similarly impoverished Noble from Rathina of all places. Hardly are you going to come across someone who knows anything about your little $mcTitley, let alone the desolute status it's in.</p> <<set $AcknowledgePoverty to 0>> <h class='cb'>[[I'm quite poor|REGALPYO3][$AcknowledgePoverty to 1]] [["We do our best"|REGALPYO3]]</h> </center>

<center> <<if $AcknowledgePoverty>> <h class='cb'> $mcNick:"Oh well... I regret to inform you, my friend, but my $mcTitley, or rather my fathers', is likely the most destitute in all of Swiatla proper, perhaps even outside of it. </h> <<set $Fame+=5>> <h class='vay'> Baron Vayle:"Ah... well that still does not leave you incapable, $mcNick, you're well-renowned. Quite so. And for good reason. I was there when we fought the Greatswords of Tomit, sir."</h> <<else>> <h class='cb'><<set $Dread+=15>> $mcNick:"We are quite stricken with our tough circumstances, Baron Vayle, but indeed, we do our best. Gareth here has been by my side since I was a child. He's as educated as me and, just as fierce, though.... not of Noble blood." You almost say something decidedly blasphemous, but stop yourself... wisely. </h> <h class='vay'> Baron Vayle:"I understand. My circumstances are not much better, sir. The Barony of Vayle, over in Weiler, is having a... well, not very good go of it. Though, I emphasize, the circumstances that grip us only make us, who survive, that much stronger. You are quite the dread, sir. I remember how we broke the Greatswords of Tomit together. We would not have done that without the Black Baron."</h> <</if>> <h class='cb'> $mcNick:"Thank you... though, no need to call me Sir. I've not been allowed to continue serving as this squadron's leader." </h> <h class='s'> Gareth:"Yes, I've just mapped out our assignment, $mcNick. The task has been given to us from Command. Here you go. The map has been marked. I walked down the village and its' outskirts yesterday before sleep, it's not much but it's highly defensible for what it is. I wasn't allowed audience with the Lady, perhaps you would be allowed. The garrison downhill is mostly empty, I suspect that's why we're here. Men have been emptied from this town for further assaults. There are just below three hours before I think we should move out for scouting."</h> <p> And that right there is what makes Gareth so good, both as a friend and a servant. He did all of this without being asked to, and even summarized your tasks and best options for today, without making it seem like an order. Baron Vayle has been sitting on the chair, almost slack-jawed in his awe of how efficiently you and Gareth work.</p> <h class='cb'> $mcNick:"Well, then... we had better get to doing our duty." </h> <h class='s'> Gareth:"Yes, sir. Shall I go prepare the horses?" </h> <h class='cb'> $mcNick:"Certainly. I shall attempt to visit with this Lady or what other title she gives herself. Would you join me, Baron Vayle?" </h> <h class='vay'> Baron Vayle:"Yes! I mean, yes, of course." </h> <p> And with that you set off.</p> [[Continue|REGALPYO4]] </center>

<center> <p> <img src="images/BB/Alpyo/STATUE.jpg" align=left width=25%>The day is blistering hot, and you are fortunate to have light garb for such occasions. Baron Vayle, walking right alongside you with a vibrant red shirt which might suggest a certain amount of wealth on his hands. One could conclude that a wealthy Noble is easily able to get away from service during wartime, so a wealthy nobleman in war must have come purely because he's capable. The two of you simply walk forward after exiting the cavalry barracks and then round the corner of the mansion of Lady Isobel. In front of it stands a single, well-armored guard, rather than the usual duo with polearms expected at every entrance that needs to be guarded. He is so still and his face and body so obscured with the armor, you are not even sure if this is not a statue. Baron Vayle seems to share your confusion when he asks: </p> <h class='vay'> Baron Vayle:"Is... is that a real person?"</h> <h class='s'> Guard:"Yes. Good day... lords. I am Robert of Stor. But people here call me Burnie."</h> <h class='cb'> Ignoring the urge to voice your fortune for having brought the young Baron along, you say:"Good day, ehm, Robert Stor. Please inform Lady Isobel that I should quite like an audience with her. </h> <h class='s'> Burnie:"Lady Isobel is quite busy. Why should you be granted an audience?"</h> <h class='cb'> $mcNick:"We are Lords of Swiatla. We would like an audience to discuss the arrangement regarding this towns' safety and scouting."</h> <h class='s'> Burnie:"The arrangement has been made with Hrabia Host. Are you his commander?"</h> <h class='cb'> $mcNick:"No."</h> <h class='s'> Burnie:"Then I suggest you talk to him."</h> <h class='cb'> $mcNick:"I suppose I shall. Good day, Burnie."</h> [[Continue|REGALPYO5]] </center>

<center> <p>That conversation done with, you and little Vayle set on the path down toward the peasant part of the village. Once more faced with the clear prosperity of this village, you stand for a second right at the main crossroads, or whatever that could be in this tiny settlement. The "rich district", though it cannot be called a district, amounts to four buildings, all made of stone. The Command, where Hrabia Host makes orders, right at the center of the hilltop, the Mansion immediately to it's left, a guardhouse opposite it, and the cavalry barracks, behind the Mansion, the entrance to it snuggled between the Mansion and the top half of another buildings' stony wall, settled down a hill. It's clear that the layout of these buildings has been thought through quite a bit, and even though the Command is the apparent center of the village, the defensive layout suggests what you've already pieced together through the information collected in your one day here. Lady Isobel's Mansion, defended from behind by a barracks, to its' sides by the Command and the drop-off towards the middle portion of Alpyo. Not that any of this matters to you, since you will not even be allowed an audience with her. <<button [img["images/BB/Alpyo/SMALLALPYOMAP.jpg"]]>> <<script>> Dialog.setup("Map of Alpyo village"); Dialog.wiki(Story.get("AlpyoMap").processText()); Dialog.open(); <</script>> <</button>> Baron Vayle has stood right next to you, also trying to observe the village, though the roughly dozen-and-a-half other buildings in this settlement, mostly houses, and betrays his lack of understanding when he says: </p> <h class='vay'> Baron Vayle:"It would be tough to defend all of this. All wooden buildings sparsely dotted across a pretty maneuverable terrain. The hills just over there, into Faiz would help their cavalry in making a charge against us."</h> <h class='cb'> $mcNick:"First of all, Faiz has terrible cavalry, even worse than the Holliks. Second of all, the hilltop right there would allow us to connect rightwards with the hilltop the our barracks are on, and defend as such, everything but the few buildings made of stone. It's a well-made village."</h> <h class='vay'> Baron Vayle:"Hmm, yes, you're correct, but what about if they broke through and utilized fire?"</h> <h class='cb'> $mcNick:"Well, once again the chances of them doing that with cavalry is quite small, so they're unlikely to do so with a maneuverable force. So if they come with infantry, we, the Lancers are to take care of them, it's not without a reason we've been sent here. I do not know if you were there, but in the first days of the war, we ambushed a sizable Hollik army with only two hundred and fifty Lancers charging out of the woods. There is about a hundred of us here now. And, to be honest, Baron Vayle, these Isobel men seem quite a tough bunch. You saw that <<linkreplace "Palicz">> Burnie <</linkreplace>> fellow." </h> <h class='vay'> Baron Vayle:"Hmmm... he seemed quite old to me. I mean his voice was quite hoarse and rugged. " </h> <h class='cb'> $mcNick:"True, but an old man in terrific armor, and a full greatsword. He seems to carry himself with the air of a hardened warrior. If he had let us in with Lady Isobel immediately, then perhaps you'd have the right to think he is not very good. On top of that, he said Robert of Stor. That is no light name to carry."</h> <h class='cb'> $mcNick:"Anyhow, let us roam the village and the outskirts now. I would like to see the state of the garrison. Perhaps even buy some new clothes."</h> [[Walk|REGALPYO6]] </center>

<center> <p>The two of you walk for a while, getting a better grasp of the surroundings, a few villagers brave enough to greet you, and getting to know Baron Vayle a bit better. His uncle rushed him off to this war a week after his sixteenth birthday, for similar reasons your own father sent you. Baron Vayle, also called Laszlo of the House Kotara, feels that he has no choice but to serve during this war, and thereby save his Baronial family, to keep it from losing the grace of Nobility. Again, much like yourself, he is the only son of an impoverished fiefdom, and seems to almost compete with you, to convince you his circumstances are worse. You remain convinced that Vayle is not nearly in as bad a state as $mcRealm is, but you have no qualms with letting the young Noble keep believing it himself. After all, that kind of dogged spirit of desperation can only push him to better performance, despite the lack of crippling debt present in the $mcTitley of $mcRealm and other circumstances which distinguish your own level of poverty from the rest of the Realm. <img src="images/BB/Alpyo/VAYLE.webp"> His physical appearance however, ''firmly'' contrasts the desperate warrior-spirit emanating from every word leaving the young Barons' mouth. The young man has a Rathinean blonde head of hair, running just below his neck and above the shoulders, a tall but quite slight frame. In a year, you think, it would be surprising if he were not to surpass you and most others in height. And you are indeed the tallest person in most rooms. Yet, the peculiar thing about his appearance is not even that, but the mostly feminine shape that details his face, and to a certain, observable degree; his body. If the man walking to your right had two protrusions below his neck and above the bellybutton, you would be convinced that a woman is in your company, not a soft-spoken, somewhat infirm young man. His voice, being high-pitched as it is, when combined with the certainly feminine face truly serve to emphasize how utterly masculine his character remains. It serves to challenge some of your predisposed notions from reading the old philosophers from ancient times, whose ideas are still very much alive today, and felt that your body, mind and spirit are all very much in tune and must all be of an identical aspect. This belief, connected in collective historiography is believed to be the basis for the Saintly Trifecta present in the Almightys' Book. Though you are, in practical terms, not the most pious Noble, and did not pay much attention to this before the War, this is still the primary way of life for most Swiatlans, and certainly the Nobility, so Vayles' contradictory existence quite confounds you. While absent-mindedly engaged in conversation and just about to finish your survey, Gareth lightly runs up to you and says: </p> <h class='s'> Gareth:"$mcNick!! This is for the two of you. The rewards for our missions so far, including a regular pay, Hrabia Host delivered it to us."</h> <<set $gold+=150>> <h class='cb'> $mcNick:"Hmm... perfect, I was just about to go buy some new clothes..." </h> <h class='vay'> Baron Vayle:"Yes, perfect. I shall join you, our Black Baron!"</h> <p> You look at him curiously.</p> <h class='vay'> Baron Vayle:"And maybe get something for myself..."</h> <h class='cb'> $mcNick:"Ah, there it is."</h> [[Continue|REGALPYOSHOP]] </center>

<center> <p><img src="images/BB/Alpyo/TAILOR.webp" align=right >The shop is quite prosperous for a village, certainly one of this size, but it is still a simple general store in the middle of a village far away from any relatively important settlement. There is little for you to be impressed by in here, but the clothes that you need, lighter and better for the heat one would experience while spending a prolonged amount of time in Alpyo. You buy a half dozen that fit you quite well and are easily tailored to your frame, as well as ordering about a dozen more from the somewhat ugly, but well-dressed seamstress. She brags about dressing Lady Isobel sometimes, and a pack of the other wealthy women from the local populace that you obviously do not know of, nor why the woman assumes you would. Vayle picks another, identical blouse to the one he is wearing, except this time a certain shade of purple. None of this costs either of you too much, as even the most impoverished of Nobility, you still own far more than probably all of the peasants in Alpyo combined. <<set $AlpyoFlask to false>>\ <<set $AlpyoVegetables to false>>\ <<set $AlpyoMonocular to false>> After your measurements have been taken, and new clothes ordered, you notice a couple of interesting items for purchase here. After all, this is the village store, not just a tailors' shop, and you consider the implications of each: <img src="images/BB/Alpyo/BOTTLES.webp" width=35% align=left>\ ''First'' is the package of flasks, a group of five tied at the top to each other. They would allow you to carry far more water at your side, and help stave off the coming heat. Perhaps you would be able to muscle through the heat, but this seems like an almost necessary investment. Particularly considering it only costs you 2 gold pieces. In fact, you would be buying two, just in case. ''Second'' is more so an order than it is a single purchase, but after negotiating a little, you come down to a price of 13 gold pieces for a stream of food delivered for you and your men in the coming month. One could perhaps order for a longer period, but you dare not assume that your stay would be so prolonged. Even a month seems like a very long time. This is, of course, more so a generous gesture that you might be doing, rather than a necessary upkeep for your troops and their mounts, considering that you've been relieved of command. That means you won't be defamed should you decide not to make the purchase, the troops are in Hosts' command now, not yours, but it would explicitly maintain a certain amount of authority, popularity and control over what you very much feel is your squadron. <img src="images/BB/Alpyo/MONOCULARS.webp" width=35% align=right> ''Third'' is something you did not expect to become such a popular device in such a quick time. It is the same kind of device as the one Knyaz Borva used in the first battle you ever fought. It extends, its' rims made out of consecutively smaller metal, all of it housing lenses inside, and would allow its' user to peer deeply into the distance and view as if one were right there. Of course, such technology has been around for more than a century, but only recently has it seen widespread use, perhaps spurred on by the profit of war. The negotiations are quick and terse, the storeowner, and apparently the lucky guy married to the seamstress, budges for a little decrease, but not much and remains at 20 gold pieces. This is most certainly a steal, for him that is, as you have seen these devices in more frequent occurrence, and are surely to see them more in the future. Though, who knows, these ones are quite well decorated, and you might find some use for it. Perhaps you could have gotten a better price if you knew the name of it, which you learn during the haggling that it is a Monocular. He also speaks its' Faizi name, but you had stopped listening already, satisfied with the name provided. </p> <<if $gold gte 2>><<linkreplace "Buy the bottle(s)">> <<set $gold-=2>><<set $AlpyoFlask to true>>\<</linkreplace>><</if>> <<if $gold gte 13>><<linkreplace "Buy the food">> <<set $gold-=13>><<set $AlpyoVegetables to true>>\ <</linkreplace>> <</if>> <<if $gold gte 20>><<linkreplace "Buy the Monocular">><<set $gold-=20>> <<set $AlpyoMonocular to true>>\<</linkreplace>><</if>> [[Leave|REGALPYO7]] </center>

<center> <p><img src="images/BB/Alpyo/BERTHOLD.webp" align=right width=30%><<if $AlpyoFlask or $AlpyoVegetable or $AlpyoMonocular>> The two of you walk out, your pouches slightly lighter, and head up the well-trod path back to your barracks.<<else>> The two of you walk out, your pouch unchanged since you added your pay to it, walking up the hill towards your barracks.<</if>> The young Baron feels compelled, it seems, to notify you of the fatigue in his legs. <<if $Martial eq 0>> This makes you aware of your own strain as you continue making your way up the hill, and feel a sense of solidarity in his lack of prowess.<<else>>This makes you aware of the slight strain with which you now climb up the hill, but feel justified in being somewhat disappointed with his lack of prowess.<</if>> You wonder idly whether this will significantly impact your scouting missions during your stay here. Regardless, you enter the building and dress more appropriately, or at least what might be appropriate for war. You head back down and find a good number of men have already gathered, some armored, most not. They wait for you and put their trust in you as their leader. You lead $SquadronVeterans of them to assault in Tomit, and you are sure to make them be the ones to accompany you on your patrols. The rest of them ought to be leading the other patrols, battle-hardened veterans and all. You give an improvised speech, entirely spontaneous due to the circumstances you find yourself in. Their eyes fall upon you with a measured sense of skepticism, but you feel they are more disappointed in being taken away from your command rather than distrustful. Your speech focuses on dispelling any notion that you might have been weak and therefore unworthy of leadership, smartly but subtly deflecting the blame on Hrabia Host. As the speech continues, you give them an impassioned description of what you are to do in the coming days. The lack of a large quantity of infantry, the defensive weaknesses, and the strengths of this settlement, the importance of this location to the defense of rear positions in Höll, all of it.<<if $Command gte 16>> <<set $Command+=5>> As your speech draws to a close, Berthold draws support for you with a firm and loud:<h class='BER'>"Hoo-rah!"</h> The moment the battlecry leaves his dashing mustached face, the rest of them cheer similarly in unison. <<else>> Your speech draws to a close and you are certain that it was decent until it ends, and the only response you get is a forced clap from Berthold. You'll have to work on this. <</if>> </p> <<set $BertholdWiki to true>> [[Continue|REGALPYO8]] </center>

<center> <p><img src="images/BB/Alpyo/SQUAD.webp" align=left width=50%>You and six other Nobles (along with your sergeants of course) set out, first assignment being to scout an axis south-southwest of Alpyo. Just as you reach the outskirts of Alpyo, someone asks where to go first, to which you respond by explaining you shall head out mostly westwards first and then curve your way around to approach Alpyo from the south. Today will be a long, long day and you make sure the rest of the squad understands this. A silence notifies you of the mens' disapproval, but you remain full of conviction. It is not in your interest, or more importantly, the Kingdoms' interest to not establish a line around Alpyo in which you're secure and feel at home. That is why you will push todays' expedition to a deep and wide half-circle, then work from that in the coming days. <<if $AlpyoVegetables>> Perhaps the men feel annoyed, but you are certain they will feel more indebted to you after that food starts arriving. You shake your head away from thoughts of food, because you feel hungry already.<</if>> Regardless, your mind recenters in the present and as the squad instructs their horses to trot, you engage in idle conversation and begin your patrol with the kind of chatter typical among men of your kind. </p> [[Continue|REGALPYO9]] </center>

<center> <p> <img src="images/BB/Alpyo/FOREST.webp"> The majority of the day, you spend at the very front alongside Berthold. It's a damn shame how decadent your Realm is. Berthold here is a very accomplished Knight, with years of experience, and still you somehow got a position of warleadership before him. You do not voice these concerns of course, so as not to damage your House and the Kingdom, but you do feel this way. Even with the reforms made during the last fifty years, this war being the first one to see said reforms be tested, still the old Dynastic importance has not been flooded out of the Realm. Still, being the firstborn of a Noble means more than being capable. Once again, you only voice these opinions to yourself, particularly since this has benefitted you so far, but you are unable to quell the concern that men who are incapable of doing their job are placed in positions where your own life may be jeopardized with their incompetence. The few moments where you are able to pick up conversations from the other Lancers, you get the sense that they feel this way about our good commander - Hrabia Host. He is, as one of them says, untested and comes from a disgraced House. At first, you thought someone was talking badly about you, but then you realized how similar Hosts' background seems to be to yours. It seems only fortune gave you that opportunity at Tomit, which you capitalized upon and have separated from being among the targets of daggery whispers. Gossip has never a companion of yours and the hollow-eyed man right next to you seems to agree. The majority of your conversation is centered around his adventures with the Purple Froggies, which you find out is the name of his former company, and you talking about your various intrigues leveled at unsuspecting travellers to the $mcTitley of $mcRealm. </p> [[Continue|REGALPYO10]] </center>

<center><img src="images/BB/Alpyo/BERTHOLD2.webp">\ <p> The fourth son of a rich Baron near the capital, Berthold (as he has requested to be called) has found sitting around and wasting the riches that will be inherited by his eldest brother to be utterly distasteful. He has spent his youth learning to fight, and his father financed the best equipment, training and even men at times for him to train and fight alongside. He had enlisted with a mercenary company when he was 18 an fought with them for two years, when his father died, and his brother called him back to serve as the Warmaster of House Banas. He has clearly seen much of war, and has a kind of stare only seen in the eyes of some of the older men. A kind so used to death, it might as well constantly be staring out of their eyes. He is only a year younger than you, yet with more skill in wartime affairs, having been his brothers' Warmaster for four years before the war with Faiz happened. He is lithe and slender, slightly taller than average, but even with his decidedly thin frame, he is capable of astounding feats requiring both strength and courage. He has brown hair, like most of the Realm, and a dashing mustache that everyone knows him for. </p> </center>

<center> <p>You have traveled for about three hours now, and reached the river nearby Alpyo. The one which you have decided would be the end of your march west. Now you shall curve around by first going south, and then east, and finally north to reunite with Alpyo from its' south. The day is quite hot, and your squad will rest here for no longer than half an hour, to give the mounts some time for much-needed recuperation. You have not pushed them to gallop, or even a quick trot, but it is a warm time of the year and you have been riding for hours. You approach a bridge on the massive river and are spotted by some guards. </p> <b><h class='s'> Soldier:"Oi! Who are you!?!"</h></b> <h class='cb'> You're the man in charge, so you yell back over the bridge:"<b>$mcName Czarny of $mcRealm! We're scouting around Alpyo!</b></h> <h class='s'> Soldier:"<b>Oh, okay!</b>" You see two of the half-dozen troops look at each other and start approaching. </h> <h class='BER'> Berthold also steps down from his mount, and stands at the helm of the long wooden bridge, before turning to you and saying:"I can talk to them, $mcNick! If you still need to go for that piss..."</h> <h class='cb'> $mcNick:"Ah! Thank you, indeed I shall. Make sure to not neglect your mount, however, we will have use of it."</h> [[Head off alone|REGALPYO11]] </center>

<center> <p><img src="images/BB/Alpyo/KNEELING.webp" align=right>You ride off a ways away upriver, far enough that they cannot hear you, but not too far that you could not reach your squad within seconds at a gallops' pace. The days since the start of this campaign have dragged out, too long for you to have bothered keeping track of, but you are certain they are many. Perhaps you are at the three month mark, perhaps half a year, you are not sure even though you know your capability has been tested multiple times by now and still you feel shaken. Still, you feel terrified. Not just of death, no, for an honorable death in war is approved by the Almighty, and widely cherished among the Nobility. But because you are constantly afraid of failing your expectations. The expectations of your Father, the Old $mcTitle, the expectations of your Peers and betters, the expectations of the Almighty. <img src="images/BB/Alpyo/KNEELING2.webp" align=left width=50%>\ The burden being carried by your shoulders seems so great it even appears to have a physical effect. Perhaps just because of the heat, perhaps not, you feel a dreadful unease perturbing your insides. At first, you believed it to have been a mere nervous nature of a man who only has a dozen men around him marching off into unknown lands where armies clash all the time. Though it might have been this fear, perhaps working in accord with some other fearful part of your being, you now know it to have an effect on your physical health, as you have felt sluggish for the past two dozen minutes. It is not until you are bent over while on your knees, retching your rations into the river, that you realize you are in far, far worse shape than you had perceived. As a particularly nasty portion of your ration-bread gets stuck in your mouth, while more keeps gushing out of your throat, battling against the gate made out of vomit right at the tip of your throat, you think for a second and internally laugh at how hilarious it would be if this were how you died. <i>Died of vomit induced by fear.</i> <i>What a fucking joke.</i> Your eyes bloodshot, stomach empty and the <<if $Piety gte 25 and $Piety lt 50>> Grace of God hanging onto you by a thread<</if>><<if $Piety lt 25>> void left behind by your impiety<</if>><<if $Piety gte 50>> Grace of the Almighty <</if>> all get washed away as the mount which has been carrying you this whole time, your noble steed, comes over and nudges you with its' face. You're the one supposed to be helping it recuperate, not the other way around. That realization only serves to send you back, spiraling down towards further self-loathing. The trauma which you are suffering right now is something you have heard much of and know about in more scientific terms, but it is hard to deal with now that it threatens to overwhelm you mercilessly. The only thing to do is breathe, let it wash over you, let it threaten all it wants to engulf you, and always remain unshaken. Unconcerned. ''Unbroken''. <h class='cb1'> Undefeated</h>. As you start to wash the vomit out of your now-annoyingly long hair, and feel the cold water hug your face, the first wave of this demonic despair retreats, and gets replaced by the ever present, subtle feeling in the back of your head, doing its' best to remind you you are not the Man you need to be. If your Father saw you on your knees right now, even his everlasting patience would be broken, and you would be disgraced as his son. This is without a doubt the worst you have felt since the beginning of the war. Even at Tomit, you felt bad because of fatigue, not this spiritual attack. How can you consider yourself worthy? Surely the others are not this hare hearted? Surely you are the exception. That would be a comfort. A meaningful comfort. The newest splash of water on your face finally brings some lucidity and reminds you of your horse. As you hoist her around a branch and lead her to a nonpuked part of the river, you notice something in the distance. [[Continue|REGALPYO12]] </p> </center>

<center><<set $Morale to 35>> <p><img src="images/BB/Alpyo/RIVER1.webp"> In the distance, the picture of a young-looking woman, curvaceous yet lithe, washing herself and laughing while looking at something else, appears before you. Her laugh seems to carry quite nicely over the wide river and makes you question your sanity, thinking perhaps this is a hallucination. Unafraid that you will be caught, because the girl seems to be looking to her and your right, showing you a good view of her pert butt while engaged in conversation with someone you do not yet see. <<if $AlpyoMonocular eq false>> If you had the monocular, perhaps now would be a good time to utilize it. The girl is already moving towards the right, joining whoever is over there and leaving you with nothing but your vomit and horse. Whoever this is, you probably wouldn't get to have fun anyway, as you must return soon to the squad. <<else>> Now seems like a good time to try out that monocular you bought, though perhaps from a different vantage point. The girl is moving away towards whomever it is you cannot yet see. <<linkreplace "Move up and watch">>\ The girl walks on down to where another woman has placed some piece of clothing down onto a branch. You pay little attention to the branch and dress or blouse or tunic or whatever else it is. You keep a single, magnified eye trained on the girls as they sit down at the rivercoast, naked as can be, and one of them mischievously prompts a water splashing competition. <video src="images/BB/Alpyo/VIDRIVER1.webm" controls autoplay loop> Something's Wrong, dumbass. </video>\ <<linkreplace "Keep watching">>\ The splashing stops and the mood becomes bizarrely serious. One of the women crawls up behind, and the other shrinks into her embrace. They then do what is entirely blasphemous. The girl hugs the other from behind and kisses her like man and woman ought to. They continue doing this, almost as if it is a display of affection sanctioned by the Almighty. The girl then moves on to kissing the smaller ones' shoulder, and finally cups a bit of water into her hand, as if to wash the other girl. <video src="images/BB/Alpyo/VIDRIVER2.webm" controls autoplay loop> Something's Wrong, dumbass. </video>\ <<linkreplace "Settle a knee down for proper viewing">> In the time it takes you to go from crouching with both feet on the ground, to kneeling with one foot touching the ground, the girls have managed to move on to a more intimate stage of the game. The one from behind puts her hand boldly but affectionately between the others' legs, and begins massaging her friends' womanhood. Even from your fairly distant point of view, you see the immediate reaction. She melts in the embrace of her loving friend, and begins the process of surrender to her partners' desires. It reminds you very much of what you felt when bathing with Anette. The trust that the other person has your best, and even your slightly less good, primal desires in mind, and wishes to do their best in satisfying said urges. <video src="images/BB/Alpyo/VIDRIVER3.webm" controls autoplay loop> Something's Wrong, dumbass. </video>\ You keep watching until the one being coddled starts to shift and grasp around in pure bliss. They keep playing, but you really ought to return now. The sight of these two gentle creatures warms your heart, in spite of its' blasphemous nature and you leave feeling better than you might have otherwise. <<set $Morale to 50>> <</linkreplace>> <</linkreplace>> <</linkreplace>> <</if>> </p> [[Leave|REGALPYO13]] </center>

<center> <p><img src="images/BB/Alpyo/CAVREST.png"> The men wait for you patiently, seemingly unperturbed by your disappearance. You ask at them whether thirty minutes have passed. Their silence is quite loud. Clearly, they would like more rest, but Berthold immediately gets up and responds it has as he mounts up his steed. The others look up at you, probably less so in deferrence, and more out of reluctance, but still good enough for you. </p> <h class='cb'>$mcNick:"Let's move out!"</h> <p>\ Though they clearly do not want to, the men start mounting up and soon after you are back on the path. The rest of the day passes a bit more quickly, your mind, body and spirit all feeling a bit more uplifted after the events at the river. Your stomach already starts churning, however, and you predict little opportunity for meal breaks till the end of the day. You will make it through, however, you have gone longer without food. The water is the real issue here. The sun is bearing down on you all harshly and it will be hours before it goes down. In fact, you are likely to reach Alpyo just as the sun sets. </p> [[Continue|REGALPYO14]] </center>

<center> <p><img src="images/BB/Alpyo/CAVRETURN.png">Just as the scouting mission returns to Alpyo, sun still soaking you with its' shrinking rays, your parched throat calls for more water. It is getting hard to breathe, your head is aching and has been since you started moving northwards, on the final stretch to Alpyo. <<if $AlpyoFlask>> It is a good thing indeed that you have bought that new bottle, as your old flask would surely have not been enough. The water in it is quite warm by now, but it is still better than leaving yourself dry and waterless. You have offered multiple times to the rest of your men, to share some of your own water. They were stalwart the first few hours, saying it would tarnish their Noble honor. Once you reached the south point, they had already broken down, and drank your spare bottle. The one you have not been using, though you meant to keep it for your horse. Now, this seems like a good investment, when you enter Alpyo, all with chins high up, stabling your own horses. The few peasants that mill about are reverently moving out of the way, and most of them bow. The men are quite clearly tired, Vayle most of all, as are you. This does not stop any of you from stabling your own horse and taking a quick minute to care for them. The criticality of this success becomes quite apparent when you reach the barracks and see that there have been a few men posted there with water waiting for your patrol. You shall be spoken of a little better after today, at least as a commander, if not as a Noble altogether. <<set $Command+=5>>\ You are quite tired and reluctant to do anything more. There is a report to be written for the Hrabia, and there is life in you yet. After all, that terrific event at the river reminded you about how weak one can feel. Thus, you cannot let the fatigue of this day prevent you from your honorable duty. You write the report, broadly and leave some gaps for Gareth to fill in, as well as possibly Berthold. The sentries you found at the bridge, for example, conversed with the others, not so much with you. After the basics of the report are written and delivered to Bertholds' sergeant, Artur, you go to bed and fall asleep quite quickly.\ <<else>> The yearning for water becomes wholly apparent when you start paying attention to the drop of sweat running down from the side of your head, beside your eye and finally down to your neck. It is so bad that you do not even swivel your head to look at the men behind you and whether they are still following you. You only direct your horse further towards the barracks. Fortunately, the sergeants inside, belonging to the men who have not scouted with you today, seem to have thought ahead of your plight and hold plenty of water for you. The water is perfectly cold. A split second of thinking about having to stable your horse, but it appears the men who are rested will take care of that, too. Seems like Hrabia Host has thought of everything. Still, the critical lack of water will surely affect your prowess, as you might be getting thinner, similar to Berthold, except without the years of experience as a fighting man. You do not even bother to write down the report for the Hrabia, that will wait until the morrow, instead you head straight up to the room and faint the moment your cheek is embraced by the pillow. <</if>>\ </p> [[Sleep|REGALPYO15]] </center>

<center> <p> <img src="images/BB/Alpyo/CAVHOST.jpg" width=100%> The next day sees you wake up fairly late, hours after sunrise. You write the finishing portions of the report, deliver it to Host and set out on the next scouting mission. Of course, you are not required to go to every single one, but you do so because you want to get a good grasp of the surroundings. Today even the Hrabia is joining you and you predict an interesting day. Unfortunately, this is not the case at all. The Hrabia proves to be a dull partner for conversation. You let him speak for most of the day and only chime in whenever he makes it clear he expects a response. The only interesting things you hear are about Lady Isobel. First, he notes that she is known to be a very domineering woman, particularly about ones' piety. He describes a visage of a woman going around whipping all the guards and peasants in Alpyo who are incapable of conducting themselves as the Almighty decided. The other interesting thing is that Swiatla mediated a deal between her and the Holliks. In return for the cooperation and protection from her Guard, she would be granted the status of Nobility. This comes up early in the patrol, after that Host goes back to talking about how empty this garrison is and there is nothing in Alpyo of any importance. You are bored, but fortunately the stretch being patrolled today is not drawn out like the one you made yesterday. In fact, it is quite probably the only reason the Hrabia is here, so as not to be distracted from his work too much. Tomorrow you join a patrol targeting the eastern portions of Alpyo. Until then, you shall think about what you have learned today. </p> [[Weeks later...|REGALPYO16]] </center>

<center> <p><img src="images/BB/Alpyo/PATROLHILL.png"> Another day, another patrol. You have been here for almost a month, and absolutely nothing has happened this whole time. It almost feels nice, Alpyo being a very green and idyllic looking town. You patrol every day for any potential invasions, having scouted through quite nicely and established a net in which you should not miss anything. One invasion, however, has not been repelled, and that is boredom. It is suffocating how little there is to do in Alpyo. <<if $AlpyoVegetables>> The single exciting moment in the past two weeks has been when the first of the food started arriving, the food you bought for your men, and they all cheered in your name. <<set $Fame+=10>>\ <<else>> There is absolutely nothing interesting in this town, and you suspect it might just be what kills the garrison. Boredom... sheer boredom. <</if>> To kill this boredom, but still remain responsible, the Lancers who once were your regiment, have decided to follow after the peasant soldiery, garrisoned in the barracks downhill, and drink. Drink, cheer and yell, but not at the local women, because that would both tarnish ones' standing and harm the relationship between the garrison and Isobel. She might intervene if the locals are in danger due to what seems like genuine care for the populace of Alpyo. The patrol ends as swiftly as all the others and soon you are back in the village, aging and doing nothing else while learning usually useless facts about the other Nobles. Sometimes, Berthold tells an interesting story from his years as a mercenary for the eight time. Sometimes he tells it for the ninth time, either way it is excruciating until the evening, when you finally get a chance to have fun. You would rather not partake in this... any of it, yet it seems your fortitude has been worn down so deeply that drinking does not appear to be beyond you anymore. </p> [[Pick up a drink|REGALPYO17]] </center>

<center> <p><img src="images/BB/Alpyo/PARTY.jpg" align=left width=45%> A mere quarter of an hour later you and the rest of the men are dancing around and enjoying yourselves, hand in hand with the villagers. Hrabia Host most likely disapproves, but he is not here, nor would he be able to prevent you now. People are just too cheerful at this point to be stopped and whatever commander were stupid enough to break this up would receive a most significant blow to their respect among the men. Likely not worth it, unless the locals start getting harassed. You have wisely chosen to stay away from the locals, opting to drink and chat with your fellow Lancers, and the odd Guard of Isobel here and there. Gareth is trying his best to remain sober, but failing miserably and it's starting to show. Slurred words, legs of straw and so on, you are only relieved when he is spotted by another of his fellows and they go away to drink elsewhere. About two hours before midnight, you walk back towards the Barracks and step into your room. </p> [[Continue|NIGHTNUN]] </center>

<center> <p><img src="images/BB/Alpyo/KEEP.jpg" align=left width=50%>The commanders' keep is where you will be staying. Hrabia Host should nominally be the only person to stay here, but being the only close equivalent of a battle tested commander, and likely the second to Hrabia Host, he has given you a room. You have some servants, too, it appears, though they are peasant women, so most likely locals. Regardless, your day will be busy tomorrow, so you first notify the squadron of Lancers of their duties, which are to begin scouting and patrolling tomorrow, as ordered by yourself and the Hrabia. Gareth learns he needlessly unpacked your things to the second story of the Lancer barracks, where the others are staying, and now needs to repack them to once again unpack them in the room you will actually stay in. Had he not been surrounded by other Nobles and sergeants, he would have groaned and whined. You know him too well. Afterwards, you move back to the room, to sleep and await the next day. </p> [[Sleep|LIEALPYO2]] </center>

<center> <p><img src="images/BB/Alpyo/SLEEPKING.jpg" width=35% align=left> You dream of a giant asleep, biding his time, waiting for a great fracture, watching over the youth, keeping them safe and preparing them for the final battle. The bearded warrior-king sleeps deeply, as the old become corrupt, the youth are swayed by their illusions of grandeur, and the world is brought closer to devouring itself. He wears nothing but a battle skirt and a tattered cape, his helmet, shield and sword all at his sides. The visage of his manly chest, uncovered despite his warlike tendency, seems to make your own react and thrust itself out, as if being pulled by the gaze of this warrior, as if it all the air in your lungs is all of the air in the world. You feel refreshed and full of life. As the gaze of the great bearded head turns away from you and towards elsewhere, to one of the many shadows nipping at the warrior-kings' feet, you realize that your own chest is not covered in shade, even less than it was before. The other shades, who bear the faces of your Peers, now spot you as their new target. They lunge vigorously, but feel weightless. You walk slowly towards the old man and His light, uninterrupted by the shadowed disturbances. Other lights coalesce around the warrior-king, many of them also your Peers. The lights now merge into the cape, sewing its' tatters and holes with their light, forming a beautiful Realm of Light. </p> [[Wake up|LIEALPYO3]] </center>

<center> <p><img src="images/BB/Alpyo/MORNING.jpg" width=65%> The morning welcomes its' first observer, you, before all others. The Sun has not yet risen, though it likely is about to. You take the time to contemplate the implications of your dream. Greybeard, sometimes referred to as Greatbeard, is in some ways the very manifestation of His Almighty Grace on Earth. You know him as the Saint which everyone adores, and cherishes, for he is the Guardian of all mankind. He is celebrated in all varieties of the Almightys' Church, meaning in Rathina and Swiatla, as well as many of the other realms to the west of Swiatla. He is viewed as the Father of all Mankind, some theories even saying he really is the first man, and hence the father to all. Regardless, his symbolism and worship is known to all. What might be coming, that he would visit you. He is supposed to guide Mankind away from disaster and towards the Almightys' Light. Could the Faizis be presenting a greater danger than previously thought? Or is the divide between Wolnir and the King greater than appears? What calamity is coming? Every years' end, Greybeards' day is celebrated by giving gifts to each other, as a symbol of His will to protect from disaster. Has he actually visited you or was this just a dream? <<if $Piety gte 25>>It is said that his duty is to protect those who are not infirm, in body, mind and spirit, and guide them to remain as such, so that they may protect the Realms when everything comes apart. Regardless of whether this was an actual visitation or not, you feel a new breath of life in your lungs. One could even call it vivacious. You will certainly come upon conflict soon, no matter whether this dream was just that or something else. You are at war, after all. <<set $Martial+=5>> <<set $Command+=5>><<else>> You hope to attain some piece of wisdom as the Suns' rising rays start to hit your face, but nothing ever comes. They simply glow upon your face blindly and that is it.<</if>> </p> [[Continue|LIEALPYO4]] </center>

<center> <p><img src="images/BB/Alpyo/BATHTUB.webp" width=50% align=left>\ A while of silent contemplation leaves you surprised when one of the servant girls calls you back into the room, uninterrupted by your surprise at the bath you had not requested. You once would have felt shy and dignified enough to request some privacy from servants not of your House, but that time is long gone, as is that man. He died in or near Tomit, and is fading further into the shadow of time, into obscurity as every single moment passes. <img src="images/BB/Alpyo/MAID.png" align=right width=25%>\ The man wearing his skin is intrepid enough to not just request a morning tea in a word or two, without looking the servant in the eyes, but is also bold enough to gaze at her feminine curves without shame. She is a relatively old girl, probably around your age. Her deep gaze into your eyes as you leer from her hips up to her small, but pert breasts and finally to her eyes betrays a clear ulterior intent, as well as some kind of intelligence which is not particularly common among the Peasants. At least, your experience has deemed it such. She keeps looking for only a second, but remembers her station and looks down and away, still ready to take your orders should you deliver them. It would not be out of the ordinary to solicit a young lady like this, and even better that she might be a willing mate. Though, this is an unknown land with unknown people, and perhaps you ought to be careful with how you behave. </p> [[Solicit her|LIEALPYOBATH]] [[Do not|LIEALPYO5]] </center>

<center> <<set $AlpyoServSex to true>> <<set $hadSex++>> <p>She is beautiful. Gorgeous even. You do not resist, and beckon her closer with a single finger. She seems to get the idea immediately and quickly she is kneeling right beside the tub, awaiting your phallus. </p> <video src="images/BB/Alpyo/MAIDBJ1.webm" controls autoplay loop> Something's Wrong, dumbass. </video>\ <p>The top lip of this lady is too succulent and full to resist pulling her in for a kiss, and so you do exactly that. She smiles, somewhat surprised, probably from the gentle nature with which you have treated her so far. </p> <video src="images/BB/Alpyo/MAIDBJ2.webm" controls autoplay loop> Something's Wrong, dumbass. </video>\ <p>She descends down onto her back and just as you are about to enter her womanhood, another kiss is shared between you, but this time she initiates it. The taste of her sweet, full lips still on your tongue, you enter her finally and she responds happily. </p> <video src="images/BB/Alpyo/MAIDSEX1.webm" controls autoplay loop> Something's Wrong, dumbass. </video>\ <p>A moment later finds you grabbing her hips to prevent a fall, hers of course, as you find out this whole act of intercourse might not be as hard as you thought. She convulses on your manhood, gratifying your ego and stroking your pride. </p> <video src="images/BB/Alpyo/MAIDSEX2.webm" controls autoplay loop> Something's Wrong, dumbass. </video>\ <p>Afraid she might alarm somebody, you tell her to be quiet and finish alongside her within a minute. She tells you not to make her a mother, so you happily oblige. You don't want spit in your drink, and she will likely continue to serve you for the duration of your stay. </p> <video src="images/BB/Alpyo/MAIDCUM1.webm" controls autoplay loop> Something's Wrong, dumbass. </video>\ [[Continue|LIEALPYO5]] </center>

<center> <p><img src="images/BB/Alpyo/JAN.jpg" align=right width=35%>With your teacup <<if $AlpyoServSex>> and <h class='pin'>kilbasa</h><</if>> empty, you pick some clothes to dress into. <<if $AlpyoServSex>> Zosia, the maid, sped out swiftly after your bath, and left you alone to dry yourself. Fortunately, this is one of the least problematic things you have had to do with the onset of war. <<else>> Zosia, who you find out is the maid chosen to serve you, wipes you slowly, gently and without scandal. <<if $Martial gte 40>> You only catch her biting her lip and staring once. <</if>> <</if>> You dress into some finer clothes and prepare to get on the way towards the Commander, Hrabia Host. The occasion of meeting with a seemingly distinguished Commander, and certainly a Hrabia, near the capital, no less, demands a well dressed gentleman. The fact that this will happen on a daily basis or close to it from now on helps you realize that more clothes will need to be added to your wardrobe. Particularly since what you brought with you amounts to less than a dozen pieces of tunics, blouses and trousers combined. This place does seem opulent, but you are still worried that Alpyo will not be capable of serving your demands for high quality dress. <<if $Regbought isnot "Neither">> Perhaps what you bought at the Regalia shop might help <</if>> <img src="images/BB/Alpyo/MANTLE.jpg" width=50% align=left> A final cape that you bring with you wherever you go. In some ways a symbol of your House's remaining wealth, it embraces you and signals to the world that the House Czarny will not go down. It is a beautiful black and golden mantle, cloaked around your <<if $Martial gt 35>> impressive<</if>> frame and contrasts against the ugly nature of all your surroundings. Even in this beautiful new home of yours, which is made in a very detailed way resembling the style common in Tomit, it all pales in comparison to the piece of clothing which has been part of your family for generations. </p> [[Meet the Hrabia|LIEALPYO6]] </center>

<center> <p><img src="images/BB/Alpyo/HOST.jpg" align=left width=50%>The moment you walk into the grandiose, but largely empty chamber, you deduce that perhaps you might have overdressed. The Hrabia, looking up at you from an array of maps, all with drawings of some kind over them, and letters, presumably from commanders in the area, seems to feel somewhat insecure as he straightens his back in a way that is obviously trying to compensate for his lack of appropriate attire. He is dressed in a mostly simple, but beautiful black armor, with golden scrawls and trims all over it. The County of Host is part of the larger Duchy of Durapech, quite close to the Royal Capital - Snovsk. The closer you get to it, the more likely that it's colors will be present in the surrounding heraldry. Where exactly Host is, you have no clue, even though your knowledge of Swiatlan geography and Nobility is quite good, but you are certain you will learn in the coming days. You may see it on a a map, you may learn from context or if all else fails, you might as well ask directly where the county is, as you are certain it will have no real impact on your standing. The Hrabia welcomes you with a smile, seeming grateful for being reminded of his duty to present Nobly, and immediately gets to work. He first outlines a series of patrol routes, the two of you negotiate them, yourself being more on the defensive as you learn the circumstances of Alpyo. He then inquires about your men, or rather the other Lancers with which you have arrived. You do your best to adapt to the situation, and ultimately come away feeling quite placated by the Hrabia, as the perimeter that will end up being established is almost entirely made by you. <img src="images/BB/Alpyo/ALPYOKNIGHT.jpg" width=100%> Finally, he asks two things of you. First, get to know the village of Alpyo. Particularly, it's defenses, it's strengths and weaknesses, and be well-versed enough should a crisis occur. The second things is peculiar. It seems the garrison with which Alpyo is to be defended, is indeed quite depleted. Almost all of the infantry has been moved further into Faiz, to garrison other places or help capture them. The half dozen Lancers that came to Alpyo with Hrabia Host, left on similar assignments, too. So Alpyo is left with less than a thousand footmen, most of them quite green, or young, or both. Your squadron is likely the most experienced in town at the moment, and you don't consider yourself or most of your squadron particularly experienced, either. So the only thing left to do, as the Hrabia sees it, is to ask the Merchant-Lady of this town, Lady Isobel, for help. She has a sizable contingent of about one hundred men, all well armed and trained, serving under her. She is not a Noble, but a merchant that has made this town as rich and beautiful as it is, with which obviously came the power to purchase and retain these soldiers. She has used them in a form of protest against the Faiz, led a short rebellion, mere days before the Swiatlan army came and managed to capture it without a life lost. Since then, the Swiatlan garrison and Isobel's guard have enjoyed a relationship that is free of conflict, but not entirely friendly either. This is what Host tells you and explains further. </p> <h class='he'>Hrabia Host:"Well, so naturally I petitioned His Lordship... the Wojewoda... and I've gotten you as reinforcement, including the.... um, well known, well, um, how you are adept at communicating with people.</h> <h class='cb'> Though slightly confused, you think you understand:"So you would like me to try to persuade her for help? It seems unlikely that she would leave this place undefended, when she has already defended it with not one of us in sight."</h> <h class='he'> Hrabia Host:"True, but I would like to have a larger say in what the guards do. And, this also comes with a deal for her, too. The Wojewoda has secured a deal that the Holliks would accept her and take her land, while ratifying her Estate as a proper and equal Noble within the Principality."</h> <h class='cb'> $mcNick:"So I get her soldiers, and she gets recognized as a Noble?"</h> <h class='he'> Hrabia Host:"Pre-cisely!" He emphasizes the latter syllable by rapping hiss finger against the table. </h> <h class='cb'> $mcNick:"Perfect. I shall speak with her today or tomorrow. I would like to get to know this town a bit before that.'</h> <h class='he'> Hrabia Host:"Good. Oh one last thing, this is for you. The old ways are dying off, and with them come new privileges."</h> [[Receive something|LIEALPYO7]] </center>

<<set $gold+=200>><center><p>He hands you a purse full of gold. Likely what he was referring to is how this is the first time in the history of the Kingdom that all soldiers, including the commoners are getting a regular pay for serving, as if working in a regular job. The decision of the King, some two or three years ago, came as quite a controversial one. Most of the military minded Nobles were quite against it, as well as the Dukes and Grand dukes, even some of the wealthier among the Hrably. Their argument was that it would make the soldiers lazy and useless. The poorer among the Nobility, certainly your father, quite liked the idea, and reinvigorated his praise of the King. The Wojewoda, though often at odds with the Royal Family, ultimately came forward in support of the idea, saying it would actually ensure the professional nature of the Swiatlan army. Where do you stand on it?</p> [[I think the regular pay will make soldiers lazier.|LIEALPYO8][$Command to $Command-5]] [[This is just a ploy to make the King more powerful, when everyone is paid by him.|LIEALPYO8][$KingWoj++]] [[If everyone depends on the King, nobody rises against him. Smart.|LIEALPYO8][$KingWoj--]] [[I would do the same thing.|LIEALPYO8][$Ambition++]] </center>

<center><<set $response to 0>> <p><img src="images/BB/Alpyo/STATUE.jpg" align=left width=25%>You have yet to meet this Lady Isobel, so you try to get that done before all else, and Gareth indicates his availability to join you. The two of you walk out of the large building and to the right, stopping at the entrance guarded by a single fully-armored... knight? Looks like a knight anyhow. The day is incredibly warm, with only a slight breeze gracing your light and thin tunic from time to time, so you feel rather strong pity towards this man, not only dressed in full metal plate armor, but of black color, too. It will suck up any rays coming down from the Sun's constant presence. Fortunately the mansion's entrance is caved inwards by design, so there is a wide blocky area with a cover overhead. The guard is completely stationary, so much so you even consider that he might be asleep for a second, when Gareth walks closer and asks: </p> <h class='s'> Gareth:"Is that an actual person or like... a statue?"</h> <h class='cb'> $mcNick:"A pers..."</h> <h class='s'> Guard:"Oh! I'm... that is, hello. Good day to yous. I'm Robert of Stor, but people call me Burnie around here."</h> <h class='cb'> $mcNick:"See? Good day to you, Burnie. I am $mcNick of House Czarny. I have been tasked by Hrabia Host to introduce myself to Lady Isobel and assume negotiations regarding her status as protector of Alpyo."</h> <h class='s'> Burnie:"Hmmm... well, I suppose so. I believe she is quite busy today, but I will let her know. I assume you all will want command of my boys?"</h> <span id="Response1"> <<linkreplace "That will stay between the Lady and I">> <<remove "#Response2">> <<set $response to 1>> <<include "BURNIECONVO">><</linkreplace>></span> <span id="Response2"> <<linkreplace "Most likely">><<remove "#Response1">> <<set $response to 2>> <<include "BURNIECONVO">><</linkreplace>></span> </center>

<center>\ <<switch $response>>\ <<case 1>>\ <h class='cb'> $mcNick:"I believe that should stay between Lady Isoble and I"</h> <h class='s'> Burnie:"Well, I'm certain that is it, nothing else for you to negotiate. As I said however, you will have to wait for tomorrow, m'lord. We are having quite a busy day, unfortunately. She will see you tomorrow."</h> <h class='cb'> $mcNick:"That is fine, I will not insist. We shall meet sometime, that is certain. Good day."</h> <<case 2>>\ <h class='cb'> $mcNick:"Unless we cannot agree on anything, that is most likely going to be the case."</h> <h class='s'> Burnie:"Well, I shall stay in charge of them, but we might coordinate further if Lady Isobel orders it."</h> <h class='cb'> $mcNick:"In charge? Is it not unusual for the guards' captain to be on guard duty?"</h> <h class='s'> Burnie:"HA! Don't you have the right of it! Yes it is, but I've relieved a couple of the boys for today. I usually guard her personally."</h> <h class='cb'> $mcNick:"Hm. Well, we shall meet tomorrow, and if not, then sometime else, that is certain. Good day."</h> <<default>>\ Something's wrong \ <</switch>> \ [[Good Day to you too|LIEALPYO9]] \ \ </center>\

<center> <p>You spend the next hour walking around, meeting some people, though Alpyo seems quite sparse, or sparsely populated. It is a village, though a prosperous one, situated in a fairly green but hilly area. The south-southwest portion of it is protected by a fairly steep hill which could easily be used to provide an advantage should an attack come. Fortunately that is exactly where an attack might be expected to come from, since Swiatla and Höll are to the north, while western and eastern flanks are protected by snowy mountains. Furthermore, the village has been structured in such a way that between the inn and the barracks is a humongous step, almost a wall in fact, as well as between the inn and the next level further into the village center. You could defend these positions with quite an outstanding result, even if all you were to have are young levies with little experience. The warmth of the Sun emanating down onto your now quite thirsty body reminds you of some things you could purchase should they be available in the village shop. The most important being a flask or better yet, a bottle to quench your thirst in the heat of summer. Another interesting thing would be a few additions to your wardrobe. It is after all, quite small compared to your Peers, in fact even Gareth might be soon outshining you in garb soon, as the pay received from the Crown is quite substantial and large compared to what you had available to you from your poor Father. You conclude then, that at least a new bottle and some new well-made clothes are in order. </p> <<button [img["images/BB/Alpyo/SMALLALPYOMAP.jpg"]]>> <<script>> Dialog.setup("Map of Alpyo village"); Dialog.wiki(Story.get("AlpyoMap").processText()); Dialog.open(); <</script>> <</button>> [[Walk into the shop|LIEALPYO10]] </center>

<center> <p><img src="images/BB/Alpyo/TAILOR.webp" align=right >The shop is quite prosperous for a village, certainly one of this size, but it is still a simple general store in the middle of a village far away from any relatively important settlement. There is little for you to be impressed by in here, but the clothes that you need, lighter and better for the heat one would experience while spending a prolonged amount of time in Alpyo. You buy a half dozen that fit you quite well and are easily tailored to your frame, as well as ordering about a dozen more from the somewhat ugly, but well-dressed seamstress. She brags about dressing Lady Isobel sometimes, and a pack of the other wealthy women from the local populace that you obviously do not know of, nor why the woman assumes you would. Gareth looks with envy at some of the tunics, and you consider the possibility of purchasing one for him. While he does get a pay, also, it is not nearly as substantial as the one given to a Noble. Though incredibly rare thus far, this is once again a moment when the birthright of you two stands out in quite a marked way. <<set $AlpyoFlask to false>>\ <<set $AlpyoVegetables to false>>\ <<set $AlpyoMonocular to false>> After your measurements have been taken, and new clothes ordered, you notice a couple of interesting items for purchase here. After all, this is the village store, not just a tailors' shop, and you consider the implications of each: <img src="images/BB/Alpyo/BOTTLES.webp" width=35% align=left>\ ''First'' is the package of flasks, a group of five tied at the top to each other. They would allow you to carry far more water at your side, and help stave off the coming heat. Perhaps you would be able to muscle through the heat, but this seems like an almost necessary investment. Particularly considering it only costs you 2 gold pieces. In fact, you would be buying two, just in case. ''Second'' is more so an order than it is a single purchase, but after negotiating a little, you come down to a price of 13 gold pieces for a stream of food delivered for you and your men in the coming month. One could perhaps order for a longer period, but you dare not assume that your stay would be so prolonged. Even a month seems like a very long time. This is, of course, more so a generous gesture that you might be doing, rather than a necessary upkeep for your troops and their mounts, but it is expected of every Commander to maintain their men in a way befitting of a Noble. That means you might not find it so wise to miss this opportunity, and even make a note of how this thought occurred to you, in an attempt to make sure more of such responsible and wise decisions are made available to you in the future. <img src="images/BB/Alpyo/MONOCULARS.webp" width=35% align=right> ''Third'' is something you did not expect to become such a popular device in such a quick time. It is the same kind of device as the one Knyaz Borva used in the first battle you ever fought. It extends, its' rims made out of consecutively smaller metal, all of it housing lenses inside, and would allow its' user to peer deeply into the distance and view as if one were right there. Of course, such technology has been around for more than a century, but only recently has it seen widespread use, perhaps spurred on by the profit of war. The negotiations are quick and terse, the storeowner, and apparently the lucky guy married to the (ugly) seamstress, budges for a little decrease, but not much and remains at 20 gold pieces. This is most certainly a steal, for him that is, as you have seen these devices in more frequent occurrence, and are surely to see them more in the future. Though, who knows, these ones are quite well decorated, and you might find some use for it. Perhaps you could have gotten a better price if you knew the name of it, which you learn during the haggling that it is a Monocular. He also speaks its' Faizi name, but you had stopped listening already, satisfied with the name provided. </p> <<if $gold gte 2>><<linkreplace "Buy the bottle(s)">> <<set $gold-=2>><<set $AlpyoFlask to true>>\<</linkreplace>><</if>> <<if $gold gte 13>><<linkreplace "Buy the food">> <<set $gold-=13>><<set $AlpyoVegetables to true>>\ <</linkreplace>> <</if>> <<if $gold gte 20>><<linkreplace "Buy the Monocular">><<set $gold-=20>> <<set $AlpyoMonocular to true>>\<</linkreplace>><</if>> [[Before you leave|LIEALPYO11]] </center>

<center> <<set $gold-=25>> <p><img src='images/BB/Alpyo/GARETHSHIRT.webp' align=left width=45%>One last thing reenters your thoughts after thinking about leaving, which is Gareth. He kept looking at a well made shirt of really exquisite quality. All of the clothes you purchased and ordered so far cost you about 25 gold pieces. The whole concept of regular pays in the Kings' Army is new, but 20 gold pieces for a sergeant seems to you like it would be an incredibly major feat. So when the shirt that he had been glancing at was announced by the seamstress to be 10 golden crowns, you realized this was for you to purchase, or he would not get it at all. Gareth has been a stalwart and incredibly useful servant your whole life<<if $GarethInjuredGern>>, plus he was injured in Gern and it was your responsibility, both as Commander and his direct Liege to guard him, so you feel guilty<</if>>. He certainly deserves a reward, both for being good to you, as well as being a good fighter and servant of the Kingdom. Could you be the one to help him out? He indicates no notion that you might even consider purchasing this for him, as he clearly gave up on it the moment he heard its' price, only patiently waiting for you by the door, unsure what is taking so long. </p> [[Leave|LIEALPYO12]] [[Gareth, do you mind trying that one on?|LIEALPYOGARSHIRT]] </center>

<center> <p><img src='images/BB/Alpyo/IMAGISOBEL.jpg' align=left >Scared that you might waste all energy today and have none left for the coming days, you return immediately after the walk and spend the rest of the day doing essentially nothing, occasionally letting your mind wander towards the thought of Anettes' or Kats' lips. The thought of this Lady Isobel, however does seem to overwhelm your thoughts more than anything. How come Alpyo has been such a prosperous place compared to all the other places you visited, at least in the Banoyuzun region. How come she managed to rise up against the Faizis just in time? How come she is being offered Noble status for just some troops? So many questions, you are unsure whether she should be trusted. What you have learned up to now is that she is fairly reluctant to attend social events and gatherings, while also being reputed as an incredibly cunning and capable woman. You have not learned her age, but it is safe to say she is quite a bit older than you. Her ways are apparently quite mysterious, but the peasants you have come across all have very good things to say, and their admiration seems quite genuine and widespread. </p> [[Continue|LIEALPYO13]] </center>

<center> <h class='cb'> $mcNick:"Gareth, would you mind getting that shirt fitted to your frame?"</h> <h class='s'> Gareth:"Oh, I can't... heh... I cannot afford it.... my Lord." He forgets "my Lord" for a second. The locals do not really speak Swiatlan, but manners must be respected always.</h> <h class='cb'> $mcNick:"It's fine, just do it."</h> <h class='s'> Gareth:"Alright."</h> <img src='images/BB/Alpyo/GARETHSHIRTFIT.webp' width=35%> <p>The shirt is definitely not his size, at least not until it is sewed by the owner and her husband, but it already looks somewhat charming on him. Gareth is fortunately slightly shorter than you, but he has always been bigger. Whether fat or muscle, Gareths' body has always had more mass than yours, and you are sure he will not have a problem filling out the shirt when the time comes. The sight of this shirt hugging his frame, albeit while threatening to slip off, reminds you of one of the first times you faced death, with the old Steward of your House, who served your Grandfather before dying while in service to your Father. You were just a kid and only remember the existence of her, her appearance having faded into obscurity long ago, but the one thing you remember vividly is the brooch she got from her Lord and Liege in her youth, your Grandfather. She talked about it all the time, and bragged about his generous nature. The wealth of a Noble, even one from as poor a standing as your dynastys' is still worlds removed from the wealth of a commoner. This effect, you are certain is going to be replicated in your relationship with Gareth, at least when it comes to this shirt, so it will be. The old Steward died quickly after your first memory of her, you are unsure how quickly, though it feels like no more than a week. Gareths' appearance, as well as what is sure to be a reinvigorated desire to praise his Liege, are both sure to raise your standing within the Kingdom. Whenever the blasted things arrive, that is. The seamstress complains about being busy due to the influx of customers, as if that is something to complain about. </p> <<set $gold-=10>> [[Finally leave|LIEALPYO12]] </center>

<center>\ <p>The boring but much needed day of rest finally passes, and morning welcomes a fresh and eager young $mcTitle. You decided to dress fine today as well, and head out to the chamber where you meet Hrabia Host. Nothing new really happens, only a simple conversation where the both of you confirm yesterdays negotiations, your familiarity with the town and the way forward. It all ends in five minutes and you notify him that today will be the meet with Lady Isobel. He seems to have gotten the message and dressed decently himself. </p> <img src="images/BB/Alpyo/TALK.webp" width=50%> <h class='he'> Hrabia Host:"Good, okay, so just to summarize: your job is to negotiate control of her troops to be transferred to us, and in return you are allowed to promise her Nobility and protection, ''within'' the Principality of Höll. If you fail this, we both may end up angering the King and much of His closest subjects.</h> <h class='cb'> $mcNick:"Of course, I shall see to it."</h> [[Continue|LIEALPYO14]] </center>

<center> <p><img src="images/BB/Alpyo/ISOMANSION.webp"> You set out from the Keep on your way to Lady Isobel, your body and mind unusually quiet and calm. Burnie is not here, but the two guards let you into what is without a doubt the most beautiful place you have walked into in your entire life. You have attended balls and banquets of your liege and superior, Hrabia Witek, but even that old dogs' estate is clearly not as well off as this one. </p> <h class='iso'> Lady Isobel:"Hello, $mcNick."</h> <h class='cb'> $mcNick:"Good day... Lady Isobel, correct?"</h> <h class='iso'> Lady Isobel:"Lady, Madam, just Isobel, whatever you like, I am not Noble, so I have not the privilege of being called with such monikers, or indeed to have a last name."</h> <h class='cb'> $mcNick:"Commoners do not have last names here? That is most unusual."</h> <h class='iso'> Lady Isobel:"The Faizis sometimes impose names here, like miller, or hunter, or anything similar, but ''we'' the people refuse them quite straightforwardly. Anyhow, I am Isobel Alpyo to them."</h> <h class='cb'> $mcNick:"Ha, well it seems Swiatla and Faiz have something in common. If you were Alpyos' Sovereign, you would be known as Baroness Alpyo."</h> <h class='iso'> Lady Isobel:"Hmph, all this talk of status makes one quite ''ambitious'', no?"</h> <h class='cb'> $mcNick:"That is indeed what we are here to talk about" and you end the sentence with a knowing smile</h> <h class='iso'> She responds with a bright, beaming smile of her own and utters:"Then I would request you follow me into a chamber better suited for such //negotiations//."</h> [[Continue|LIEALPYO15]] </center>

<center>\ <p><img src="images/BB/Alpyo/ISO1.png" align=left width=50%>The two of you walk up the stairs and to a beautiful, ornate room with a jaw dropping view of the outskirts of Alpyo. The other jaw dropping view however, ensues when the Lady takes off the robe or cloak, you are unsure what to call it even, and reveals two massive womanly gifts threatening to steal all your attention away from the coming negotiation. The ladys' enticing visage confirms a couple of your suspicions. First that she is quite attractive. Though it is clear now that she is older, much older actually, she seems to have been graced by the Almighty or something as she looks no older than perhaps thirty five. Second, is that she is clearly very cunning, ambitious and a force to be reckoned with. She desires every advantage she can get<<if $AlpyoServSex>>, and she seems to feel quite confident for some strange reason<</if>>. </p> <h class='iso'> Lady Isobel:"Well I assume you would like my men to fight alongside you."</h> <h class='cb'> $mcNick:"Sure do. We are ready to offer you protection of the Kingdom and most likely the Grand Principality of Höll."</h> <h class='iso'> Lady Isobel:"Mhm."</h> [[Continue|LIEALPYO16]] </center>

<center> <p> <img src="images/BB/Alpyo/ISO2.png" align=left width=35%>The two of you negotiate for a bit, and you have yet to bring up Nobility as a reward, attempting to get everything from her without offering much in return, as a good negotiator. She is quite good and gives you a run for your crowns, never losing composure<<if $AlpyoServSex>> and always remaining confident<</if>>. You understand that it is unlikely she would refuse to help any defending force in this town even if she got nothing in return, as there seems to be something connecting her to Alpyo, however the Lady is good at masking all of this. Or perhaps you are not as good a negotiator as you thought. Either way, the pace of your talk starts to slow down and you sense there is only two directions for you. Either play into her responsibility to Alpyo, to hopefully gain the Ladys' support without offering much in return, or simply do as was expected of you and give her the right to a Noble name. </p> <<set $response to 0>> <span id="Response1"> <<linkreplace "I think you shall do as we say anyhow.">> <<remove "#Response2">> <<set $response to 1>> <<include "ISOCONVO">><</linkreplace>></span> <span id="Response2"> <<linkreplace "In return for your help, we will secure you a position as a Noble within, and only within, the Hollik hierarchy.">><<remove "#Response1">> <<set $response to 2>> <<include "ISOCONVO">><</linkreplace>></span> </center>

<center> <<if $AlpyoServSex eq false>> <<if $response eq 1>> <h class='cb'> $mcNick:"I believe, Lady Isobel, that this place is of much import to you is it not?"</h> <h class='iso'> Lady Isobel:"It is. Why?"</h> <h class='cb'> $mcNick:"And you have devoted most of your life and wealth to Alpyo correct?"</h> <h class='iso'> Lady Isobel:"Yes I have"</h> <h class='cb'> $mcNick:"So when the time comes, you will protect Alpyo and its' people? I do not think our presence has done anything to change that. //You will protect this land!//"</h> <h class='iso'> She furrows her lips for a while longer, but eventually concedes:"Hmph, well played, $mcNick. You are more capable than I thought. They will be placed in your hands, and please, do guard Alpyo well."</h> <<set $AlpyoIsobelMC to true>> <h class='cb'> $mcNick:"I vow to. Now if you may excuse me, the good Hrabia and I have much to do."</h> <</if>> <<if $response eq 2>> <h class='cb'> $mcNick:"In return for total command of your guard, we will secure you a position within the Hollik Principality as a Baroness" You deliver the lines without passion and a dead tone.</h> <h class='iso'> Lady Isobel says with a beaming smile:"Well that is all you had to say."</h><<set $AlpyoIsobelDeal to true>> <h class='cb'> $mcNick:"Good, I am glad we got that settled. Now I must report this to the good Hrabia and plan with the new retinue in mind. I bid you a good day."</h> <h class='iso'> Lady Isobel:"Same to you."</h> <</if>> <<else>> <h class='cb'>$mcNick:"Well..."</h> <h class='iso'> Lady Isobel:"Just one last thing. The bath? Did you enjoy it?"</h> <h class='cb'> $mcNick:"Excuse me?"</h> <h class='iso'> Lady Isobel:"Did you enjoy the bath, $mcNick? Zosia says you had a good time..."</h> <h class='cb'> $mcNick:"Hmmmm... You are good, Lady Isobel. But I am afraid if you are to resort to blackmail, there is little more I can offer you."</h> <h class='iso'> Lady Isobel:"But that little bit you can offer me, dear $mcTitle, is exactly what I want. I would like to become a part of Höll. And blackmail? I would never. Such an unladylike and disgusting thing."</h> <h class='cb'> $mcNick:"Very well then. You place the majority of your guard into the hands of Hrabia Host, and we shall secure a position for you withing Höll."</h> <h class='iso'> Lady Isobel:"Hmm. I will place them in your hands, under ''your'' command. Deal?"</h> <h class='cb'> $mcNick:"Deal."</h><<set $AlpyoIsobelDeal to true>> <<set $AlpyoIsobelMC to true>> <p>The two of you shake hands and she looks at you with longing, though you are certain that is only because she has outmaneuvered Swiatla successfully. All thanks to your lust. Though perhaps ambition fulfilled truly does get her aroused, it is not unheard of. Regardless, you bid your goodbye and go to inform the Hrabia.</p> <</if>> [[Continue|LIEALPYO17]] </center>

<center> <p><img src="images/BB/Alpyo/BORED.jpg" align=left width=25%>You walk back to the Keep and inform Hrabia Host of your success. The coming days are the usual boring time spent mostly on patrol and scouting, and you start to settle into a rhythm that ultimately leaves you wanting more. And you are not alone in this, either. Most of the men, even the peasant infantry feel bored, too. The Hrabia and you have decided to permit your men a weekly party to relieve themselves of the boredom.<<if $AlpyoVegetables>>You have already bought plenty of food for your men, so the Hrabia steps up, not letting you outshine him, and offers to pay for the recreational expenses. Fortunately, he does not know that the expenses of the food are tenfold smaller than the ones for the parties. <<set $Fame+=10>>\ <<else>>The two of you, being the commanders of this garrison, are naturally the ones to pay for it as well, and you offer to split the expense, regardless of your non-equal positions. The Hrabia humbly accepts. <<set $Fame+=5>><</if>>\ It has been a month since you have arrived and the last thing on your mind right now is the duty to protect Alpyo. The only thoughts occupying your mind in the past month have been of women, both local strangers and ones you have been better acquainted with. It is a sorry reaction to the worrying boredom that has seemingly conquered the entirety of the Alpyo garrison. At first, the arrival of the Lancer squadron seemed to interest the garrison a little bit and bring some new dynamic. Quickly however, the euphoria ran thin and snuffed out. The days became long and tiresome, patrols became repetitive and boring, guard duty became a personal hell. Fortunately, this has affected you slightly less, having been busy somewhat with the organisation of the men and their duties. Regardless, the slow and everlasting advance towards nothing degrades your fortitude, and thusly you have decided to join the party tonight. </p> [[Go to bed|NIGHTNUN]] </center>

<<set $IsobelWiki to true>>\ <center>\ <p><img src="images/BB/Alpyo/NIGHNUN1.png" align=left> A nun? You are sure your mind is not completely sober, but are indeed not so inebriated as to start seeing things. She sits on your bed, where you intended to lie down and sleep. She is in quite a state of undress, but with a most unusual cloth over her eyes. Her hands interlocked with each other, clearly as if to emulate a prayer, or perhaps actually praying? You are not sure, but it is unusual. The woman has pale, soft skin indicative of a rich and pompous background. The muttering coming from her lips only reaches your ear ever so slightly, not enough to decipher what she is saying. You come closer to finally say: <h class='cb'> $mcNick:"M-miss? May I help you?"</h> <h class='iso'> //Muttering//</h> <h class='cb'> $mcNick:"I hope you understand this is not your home..."</h> <h class='iso'> Nun:"''You''"</h> <h class='cb'> $mcNick:"Yes, this is mine..."</h> <h class='iso'> Nun:"I have been guided to you"</h> <h class='cb'> $mcNick:"[[Okay...|NIGHTNUN2]]"</h> </p> </center>

<center> <h class='iso'> Nun:"Please don the garb of repentance."</h> <h class='cb'> $mcNick:"Repentance? Have I sinned?"</h> <h class='iso'> Nun:"We all sin.<<if $Piety lte 25>> But the sin which hides within you is quite... daunting..<</if>></h> <h class='iso'> Nun:"Good, come here. I will take your sin upon me."</h> <p> The woman drops to her knees in front of you and gets to work.</p> <video src="images/BB/Alpyo/NIGHTNUN1.mp4" controls autoplay loop> Something's Wrong, dumbass. </video> <h class='iso'> Nun:"You have been quite blessed, Sir."</h> <video src="images/BB/Alpyo/NIGHTNUN2.mp4" controls autoplay loop> Something's Wrong, dumbass. </video> <h class='iso'>Nun:"Oh, this is magnificent. This Rod of yours, Sir."</h> <p>You are still feeling completely put off by the entire situation, but the act is pleasurable nonetheless. No reason to stop good fun. She places your member betwixt her breasts next, and turns her head up towards you.</p> <video src="images/BB/Alpyo/NIGHTNUN3.mp4" controls autoplay loop> Something's Wrong, dumbass. </video> <p>The sight here is quite amazing, but the act itself is hardly doing anything to your mildly inebriated self.</p> <<if $Piety lte 25>><p> She seems to get the message and lays down onto the bed, allowing you to put it back in her mouth, while touching herself.</p> <video src="images/BB/Alpyo/NIGHTNUN4.mp4" controls autoplay loop> Something's Wrong, dumbass. </video> <p> She seems to feel your sin is far too large and requires a slightly different treatment. Bending over on the same bed, her plump buttocks folded around that slit look very inviting. As you go in, she finally appears to reveal that the both of you are sinners, not that you did not already know that.</p> <video src="images/BB/Alpyo/NIGHTNUN5.mp4" controls autoplay loop> Something's Wrong, dumbass. </video> <p>You do your best to enjoy the warmth of her insides and make this evening pleasurable to her as well. When you hear rustling sounds and realize they are coming from her hands reaching out for stability, you understand that you have achieved as much. </p> <video src="images/BB/Alpyo/NIGHTNUN6.mp4" controls autoplay loop> Something's Wrong, dumbass. </video> <p>A moment later, she lays down on top of you, a weird intricate relic of the Faith nestled between her cheeks, confuses you as to when it found itself there. Regardless, she yells for a blessing and seems to relish in the pleasure which follows, considering it an approval of her actions. This has been going on for quite a while, and the tightness of her womanhood now threatens to overtake you. She drops down and looks to finish the job.</p> <video src="images/BB/Alpyo/NIGHTNUNCUM.mp4" controls autoplay loop> Something's Wrong, dumbass. </video> <<else>><p>She seems to get the message. You are too pious for this to continue.</p> <h class='iso'> Nun:"Apologies for disturbing you, Sir."</h> <h class='cb'> $mcNick:"Jus..."</h> <h class='iso'> Nun:"We are most fortunate to have you in our midst. Enjoy your stay here."</h> <<if $rank eq "Lieutenant">><h class='cb'> $mcNick:"There is something oddly familiar about you. Who...?" But she departs without even listening.</h> <</if>><</if>> [[END|EOV]] </center>

<center><img src="images/BB/Alpyo/ISO3.png"> <p> Isobel of Alpyo. Not much is known of her family history, but it is evident that her roots are in Alpyo, the same village nestled between Höll and Faiz that you met her in. She is known and admired in the settlement and quite unknown outside of it. The reason for this is because she has dedicated a meaningful portion of her quite considerable wealth to the improvement and protection of Alpyo. The woman is unmarried despite being of a decently late age. It is unlikely she will be given any proposals any time soon, but times are changing and perhaps it is not as big a problem as it once was. On the other hand, she has aged most gracefully and remains more beautiful than many girls in their most fertile years. She has chestnut colored hair drawing down to her buxom chest, which remains mostly uncovered, betraying her vivacious and open nature. Her hips are wide and amplify an ample pair of buttocks and strong legs. She clearly has lived a Nobles' life, as her skin is pale, silky and smooth, much like every Lady you have ever met. It is known her devotion to the Faith is quite strong and firm, despite Alpyo not having a single Church. A worshipping place, a shrine or an altar is supposedly present in her Home, but you have yet to see it. <<if $AlpyoIsobelDeal>>A deal has been made to ensure her Noble status in return for cooperation in the defense of Alpyo.<<else>> You failed to make a deal with the Lady, but hopefully her devotion to this settlement will provoke a reaction beneficial to your causes regardless.<</if>> </p> </center>