If I may suggest a more restrained course of action?

You current minions are little better than barbarians, and know not of the wider world. The elves are more settled, peaceful, educated. You could pull details of the wider world from prisoners, or possibly books or records in their villages.

AveGaruda 2012/08/21(Tue)19:22 No. 446125 ID: af3431
File 134560217797.png - (292.05KB , 700x700 , gravityofthesituation.png )

That is... actually a good idea. Binding the souls of the slaughtered to the youths is certainly within my power, and a team of small assassins for reconnaissance and stealth missions could come in handy. Unfortunately, the three elf villages we have found have already been... dealt with. If we are to gather elf minions, we will need to search in some new direction. I'll leave that for you to decide, with reference to the map I showed earlier.

there we go, see this is why your people look for us, we help you guys with things you wouldn't even think of. also there should be more then three villages. perhaps an envoy has already gone to a different race for help or something.

So do you have any other weaknesses we should know about? Any hobbies other than elf killing?

>>446143
Well, aside from elf kindling and every-other-living-thing killing.

By the way, what is the significance of that vaguely arrow-like mark that appeared on your forehead?

Pity about the one-per-world thing. Setting him against the rest of his people would be a perfect way to find out how to do our evil duty to kill him, and would generally be win-win.

It's only a sample size of three, but the northernmost and southernmost villages look to be roughly the same difference away from the westernmost village. And the villages appear to be curving around your domain.

So.. I suggest starting the search in the unexplored region to the south of the axe mark, that looks to be about where a village should be. Another possibilty is the unexplored region in the bottom left corner of the map, that area is far enough away from the burned villages for a settlement to be present. And there is a spot in that corner that is about the same distance from two of the villages as they are from each other.

The other voices are likely correct. If they follow a pattern in their placement as it seems here, then that southern bit likely has a village or two.

You could try taunting them. Slash at a few trees, start a little forest fire, toss some elf bits around, and maybe some 'fun' stuff and you can likely lure them out a bit.

Incidentally, I recommend using some of the trees you cut down for siege towers, siege weaponry, and basic fortifications. Unless the elves in this work are decent with nature magic, this can provide handy cover. Heck, even if they are good at it, charring and 'killing' the wood may prevent them from doing things to them.

AveGaruda 2012/08/23(Thu)18:52 No. 446708 ID: af3431
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What you see is my Seal. It is the channel through which I use my power. Were it to come to significant harm, my strength would be seriously diminished. Aside from that, I have no extraordinary weaknesses not present in other beings. Hobbies were not exactly something to focus on while searching for the Guidance Stone, so no, I do not have any hobbies.

AveGaruda 2012/08/23(Thu)18:58 No. 446712 ID: af3431
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The consensus seems to be to explore to the South, correct? That seems as good a decision as any. As for siege equipment, unfortunately we lack the supplies for construction first off, and secondly the Ursaps are nomadic raiders, so the majority of my forces have had no need for siege equipment or defense structures and don't have the expertise to build them in the first place.
If there are no more questions and a plan has been reached, shall we move on to addressing the troops in the morning and moving out?

Posted in the disthread, kind of important so check out >>59045

Addressing the troops now sounds fine.

Since the disc thread is in a different section, its address is >>/questdis/58143

AveGaruda 2012/08/25(Sat)21:12 No. 447706 ID: af3431
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At dawn, I assemble the troops and remind them of their place.

I stand before you with the skull of your deceased ex leader. BigBad felt he was entitled to my position as head of this troupe. Such insubordination is to be expected, but his poorly planned ascent led him to make an attempt on my life. At this point you should recognize how well that turned out for him. In future, I expect complete obedience from each and every one of you. I will address this matter no further.

AveGaruda 2012/08/25(Sat)21:19 No. 447715 ID: af3431
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I appoint the next-in-line warrior, ChipTooth, to be the new leader of the Ursaps. With that handled, We pack up camp and head through the forest to the south.

AveGaruda 2012/08/26(Sun)06:52 No. 447894 ID: af3431
File 134598913552.png - (281.15KB , 700x700 , smokeonthetreetops.png )

Uh, Boss? I don't think that was us.

That certainly couldn't be our doing, we've only just explored this area. Should we investigate or avoid that vicinity?

Instigate. Someone is being attacked, and someone else is doing the attacking. That gives you two groups to learn from (or at least of). If there's another military faction nearby, it behooves you to be aware of it. Either they're going to be your enemies, rivals, or you can recruit them.

>>447896
Might want to see if we can swoop in and be saviors or whatever. Might be good for PR.

Looks like a fight, which is excellent. We can now either side with one group or do away with both while they are occupied.

Looks like we have a consensus, my good man.
I do advise you to look into the matter yourself instead of relying on scouts. We can only see in your immediate vincinity and without knowledge we can do nothing to assist you.

Where is the smoke in relation to our intended destination? I'm a bit worried that the elves might see the smoke and run. Anyway, probably best to investigate as long as the diversion isn't too severe.

AveGaruda 2012/08/28(Tue)20:14 No. 448974 ID: af3431
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Hmmm... This town is suspiciously intact for somewhere supposedly under assault. There are no sounds or signs of battle either. However, screams and crackling flames can be heard farther into the village.

AveGaruda 2012/08/28(Tue)20:17 No. 448976 ID: af3431
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...I believe we have reached the source of the disturbance.

Hey, where's your cannon fodder? You went in alone, ahead of your troops?

>one man
Well, either you've got a useful recruit or someone to kill. Let's find out. Approach him.

Looks like another fellow who appreciates the finer points of incineration.

AveGaruda 2012/08/30(Thu)17:13 No. 449763 ID: af3431
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I don't believe I require backup for this one individual and a burning building full of people.

Hello there! I see you appreciate the finer points of incineration as well! Care to explain what exactly you are doing here?

>I don't believe I require backup for this one individual and a burning building full of people.
You didn't know it was one individual and burning building when you decided to go on ahead alone. You took a blind risk, for no reason. Maybe it won't hurt you this time, but those are mistakes that will get you long term.

AveGaruda 2012/08/30(Thu)17:34 No. 449780 ID: af3431
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"Ilais has spoken. These were unworthy. These were extinguished. Ilais will reward us with the lights of these."

ask who Ilais is. the god of this world perhaps? a great leader? and if burning is how they traditionally kill things then you are pretty safe.

Ohhhh... OHHHH~ is that a dark elf I see? Not only that, but a zealous dark elf who just burned an entire village on his own? Now, see this guy? This is a good second in command. He practically did our work before we even got here!

Still, got to wonder if he's the traditional '27 flavors of elf' dark elf or the corrupted elf type? Either way, commend him on his fine elf burning, ask about the god he worships and so forth.

Heck, we could get him in on that 'ultimate elf suffering' plan! After all, why not tack on zealous loyalty on top of our deranged spirit possessed fallen elf children assassins?

Looks like his mouth is sown closed. How's he communicating to you?

I like the look of his fellow. He seems like the type you ought to consort with.

AveGaruda 2012/09/03(Mon)20:09 No. 451524 ID: af3431
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Would Ilais be your lord? Or your god perhaps?

"Ilais speaks to us, for we are the one deemed worthy. Ilais shows us the path. Ilais is the One Who Knows Many Things."

How is it you speak with a sealed mouth?

"We do not speak. We listen. Ilais guides our words to those with whom we must speak."

Would you mind allowing for my personal space? Is there something wrong here?

"Ilais has taken notice of you. You are special. We are told to accompany you. Do you accept?"

sounds powerful. while i don't doubt you could kill this guy, this illais could be a problem if we piss him off, so accept.

Creepy powerful right hand man who serves a creepy evil God? Heyo!

Sign him up. This can't go wrong.

Welcome aboard! We always like getting new teammates!

AveGaruda 2012/09/05(Wed)18:24 No. 452053 ID: af3431
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"This pleases us. We require no shelter or nourishment, our presence will be no burden on your supplies. If you will excuse us, we must complete our mission here, before we join you."

This... Priest as it would seem, walks away and opens a small bag on his belt. The bag glows white, with a variety of flickering colors dancing in the light.

AveGaruda 2012/09/05(Wed)18:29 No. 452056 ID: af3431
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Priest draws near to the flaming wreckage that was once a building full of people. The screams have long since died. He raises a hand to the building, holding open the bag with the other. After a moment, he begins emitting a whispering, chanting sound, more haunting than any I'd heard before. As his chant draws on, a greenish white energy, the same as in his bag, rises from the ashes and clouds together in a large mass of light. Slowly, a tendril of the energy extends itself out to his hand, pooling slightly before being drawn into his bag.

I am no expert, but I believe Priest is somehow harvesting the magic souls of his victims here. If this is true, we have just made a very powerful ally. Or a very risky mistake.

>we have just made a very powerful ally. Or a very risky mistake.
Yeah, we were expecting that as soon as you walked into the village and found it completely murdered by one man jus sitting there.

Oh boy, I absolutely LOVE this guy~ burning down a village, then absorbing the anguishing souls into his soul bag. Sure it lacks a bit of versatility like the child assassin plan, but this is nice in it's own way.

Either way, why don't we help improve our bond with our new companion by going elf hunting and putting that plan into effect? He probably knows where a few villages are and it seems that there is a perimeter of them near the edge of the forest. Of course, if we wish to chance it, going deeper may have actual Elven CITIES which means loot, bodies, souls and children by the bucket loads!

>>452062
don't think we can do any cities yet, we don't have any siege engines and they could just arrow us to death.

We will have to investigate that bag at some point. A stockpile of soul energy could be useful for all sorts of things.

AveGaruda 2012/09/09(Sun)19:01 No. 453121 ID: af3431
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When Priest finishes up, he returns to the group.

Now, Priest, would you happen to know of other elven villages or cities in the area? I have some ideas in mind, that you could perhaps help with, but nevertheless require a village of civilians to slaughter.

"We know of no cities built by the elves, but we have heard say of other villages in the area. Ilais tells us also of new opportunities for slaughter in the south."

It seems we could search the area for more elves to try out that assassin idea, or move south and find what is there. What do you think?

>>453121
Let's get a couple elven kids. The younger and more impressionable the better.

>>453423
Oh yes. Kidnap some elven kids and normal elves, make the kids kill the adults :D

AveGaruda 2012/09/13(Thu)17:59 No. 454381 ID: af3431
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Very well, we shall scout out some elf villages to experiment on. Priest says Ilais will guide us to the nearest village. After some wandering (which, frankly, often felt like going in circles) we come across a village. I ordered the troops to stay some distance away, and moved with Priest to find some children.

We find a small clearing with several children playing games. They are unsupervised. How should we go about this?

Get some of your thugs to grab'em and then pit them one by one [armed] against unarmed, possibly tied up, adult elves in arena style pit-combat. And they don't get food or anything until they kill the adult. That should learn'em, right?

Don't get ahead of yourself yet, chief. Focus on capturing the kids ALIVE, first. Then we can decide what to do with them. If you have any sneakitude at all, I suggest flanking the kids on the other side first, and then revealing your presence to them. If you can use your diplomacy to draw them away from the village and then kidnap them quietly, so much the better for you. If you can't, and they get scared, you will be in between them and the village and you can drive them back into the forest where your men can capture them.

I must insist on stressing the point of capturing as many whole, unmurderlated, children as possible. You have many more options available to you, whatever course you decide to pursue. Alive children can always be made dead, but Dead children are very hard to make alive.

>Nonchalant discussion on murdering kids/using them as child soldiers.

Oh you guys!

Seriously, though, do this: >>454391

indeed. unless you have some currently unknown power to reverse death, it is a one way street. so get as many live ones as you can.

i recommend offering luring the children into your clutches with chicken sandwiches... why? because every kid is suspicious as hell of a stranger with a lollipop, but they wont think twice about a kind gentleman with delicious mouth watering chicken sandwiches...

Getting children is easy enough. So long as you are gentle and don't do something stupid, they should be easy. Make an interesting noise, draw their attention, and wait until one investigates. Snatch that one up, then snatch the other up. Make sure they don't scream by muffling their mouths. Just be gentle. They are children AND elves after all.

The tricky part in my honest opinion is to make them loyal. That's easy enough with magic, but true loyalty lies with them loving you and hating the things you hate. Make them serving you the best things in their eyes. Twist the image of their parents and family into those of captors. Those that stifle them and let them rot here for so many years. Reward them for doing their duty and following their training, but do not punish them in training. After all, if they fail when given their mission, they face the worst kind of punishment.

Besides, something about raising that lime haired boy into a skilled, loyal and intelligent assassin fills me with joy.

>>454474
Oh, good plan.

We should probably mostly keep them seperate from each other in the early stages so they don't remind one another about the good parts of their home, y'know? Or only get one assassin from each settlement so they don't have as much common ground--something like that.