ENCHANTMENT?

A secret oath

Treachery!

Oh my gawd she's proposing isn't she? It's about time you got married.

> Oh my gawd she's proposing isn't she? It's about time you got married.
I'm not sure she's got the courage to stand up against the non-fraternization rules, though, and I doubt she'd either want you to quit or to quit herself for that. No, she's probably just going to think about it, plan on saying something, and pull out one of her many legitimate excuses to talk to you about the job instead. What that is I don't know, it could be assigning a particular VIP to train, a large mission that needs you to go back into the field as field-command, a military mission or joint-forces mission that needs your experience to go smoothly, or any number of different things that would normally start with a memo if she weren't trying to open up her heart instead.

An Ancient secret kept by your order to preserve the land of the
no wait wrong guy
they have found the location of the last of the ancient relics of Mcguffainia

You're gonna have to drink the black blood and join the elite ranks of those who fight the werewolves and vampires terrorizing your country

LightsaberGuy 2015/10/20(Tue)14:05 No. 678330 ID: 9317b4
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>>678114
Little is on your mind, other than what your newest task may be, as you make your way to the ranger intelligence hub in Summerscourt. The trek is short, nearly a kilometer, your destination merely on the other side of the lake. You enter the court, towards colonel Randall's cabin. As customary, you knock and wait for an answer.
"Come in," a voice calls from the inside.

The accommodations of her strategy room are most adequate. Battle plans, charts, and diagrams adorns the walls. The curtains are drawn over the windows and a few lamps light the room. There are also a few trophies and medals of honor given to her by the top in command. The room is empty save for the colonel at the center table.
"Greetings, colonel," you say. "You have issued for me? You usually send a bird for me with new instructions. I assume this matter must be of great importance."
Colonel Kay Randall is an experienced officer, even more so than himself. In fact, he had at one time played apprentice to her. Her hair was a mixture of blonde and grey, tied back in a ponytail. Her build was slender, yet athletic. Though she was somewhere in her early sixties, one might still call her attractive. Les would not attest to that however; he had feelings for no one.
"Indeed, Lester. Take a seat, I have urgent news to disclose to you." She speaks in a dignified, though slightly grievous tone. "The rumors, which you have likely heard, of a new threat to the land are true. This this threat of not of monsters or bandit gangs that we most often deal with. No, this is a danger far worse. Organized, militant invaders with technology even more advanced than the Traskan Empire. These men dress in thick yet compact body armor, making them nigh invulnerable to our arrows and long-range weaponry. Their weapons blast bolts of fire and emit harsh noises that strike our rangers deaf. They are conquering the northern provinces and enslaving their peoples. Most have fled their homelands, those who fight back are quickly razed to the ground. The Arc has already met its demise. If their domain continues to grow, these conquerors will pose a danger to not only the Astian province, but also the greater Sholesdon area."

>>678330
You sit in silence for a moment, stroking your beard as you take in the gravity of the situation. Before this moment, all you knew of your profession was training young recruits and fending off bandits, nothing of fighting wars. What could you know that would help? Still, you are unquestionably dedicated to the corps. "I will assist in whatever way the council deems necessary," you assure her."
"Good. As you know, we rangers are not meant to be soldiers fighting in wars but to be escorts to civilians. Times have changed. We may have to take on the task of fighting this war on our own.
"Though they are the most powerful and advanced nation in the land, the Traskan empire refuses to become involved, not wanting to expend their resources or to consider that they might be in danger. The Frunfoc people, our allies, have become disorganized and are in a state of hysteria. They either fight alone or cower and flee. Our most experienced men and women are dropping like flies at the hands of these fiends. Without the Empire's aid or the cooperation of the Frunfoc peoples we will not stand a chance unless we put up a fight, and that means uniting in numbers."
You appear puzzled. "But still, colonel, what does that mean for me?"
"You have been chosen due to your intelligence and fine organizational skills you have shown here. The council wants to send you northwest, along with a few other elite captains, to a safe haven in the elder woods where many of the surviving Arcadian and Frunfoc families have been given refuge. These civilians greatly outnumber our allies and have a possibility of matching our enemy's forces. Here, we plan on training these children in our arts of combat and stealth. In return, we have promised their families a fair coin for their service. You will be one of those training these children for battle and to gather Intel on our enemy and as to how we can defeat them. What do you say, captain?"

This sounds like a really long-term plan, just how quickly or slowly is this unknown enemy moving. What else do we know about their origin, the nature of their capabilities and where those come from, or their vulnerabilities? It also seems like the obvious answer for what to do in this situation is that if we fail to measure up in open combat the sane thing to do is use unconventional means to control territory and inflict damage such as traps, explosives and artillery. What else are we doing? What time-line or limits am I working towards? What is our expected supply and equipment situation?

It's obvious that the enemy forces have advanced technology and experience in how to use it. If you wish to survive, you have to steal their technology and use it in ways that they never thought of.

Your basic plan is to use high-yield explosives or environmental attacks. Play dirty; they are better at you than combat, but fighting is not the only element of war.

>>678412
This is sound tactics. We need to work on gurilla warfare- grab tech, prisioners, and reverse engineer their weapons, or at least take them from their corpses and use them against them

we probably can't take their weapons though, a bow is useless without arrows, and their ranged weapons while more advanced and louder must use a more advanced arrow. when those are used up only the enemy knows how to make more.

>>678440
hey man, even grenades only have 1 bullet but they're still worth using right? if their technology isn't up to snuff then I don't think any ammount of high tech arrows should be scoffed at

Silent objections meet her request and a little half-frown appears on your face. Being so used to training adept, able-bodied adolescents compensated from allied townships, you are a bit unsure of how you will be able to prepared untrained, pacifistic civilians. You also feel a tad bit insulted. You believe your skills would have been used in the field, as you have always preferred, though you keep your mouth shut. Often like you to begrudgingly withhold your objections. You accept the call, though you do wish to understand more of this enemy and the council's strange, desperate tactics.
"As always, I will follow my orders until death. Though, by your will, I would like to know more of the situation."
>>678385
>>678412
You proceed with a series of questions. "What tactics have we employed so far in combating this unknown enemy? What do we know of their origins, strategies, weaknesses? How much time would you estimate before they are upon on us? And what of our resource situation?"
"Easy, captain," she remarks calmly. "Our latest means has been to ambush their foot soldiers. As I have stated, our standard weapons have little effectiveness against our enemy, so our special ops teams have been developing makeshift explosives, traps, and biological weapons. We've been implementing these at several known points of occupation. It has been successfully deterring them for sometime, it will not forever. Despite our efforts, they are moving at a steady pace southwards. If we do not gain a foothold in the next couple months, we may be done for."
"As for their origins, we know little. What do know is that they appear to have risen from of an old settlement built by a similar group of invaders, the Háború.

You're rangers. Your whole point is to scout, track, and hunt.

Start at the Háború settlement, trace the path of their conquest, and find any surplus or lost technology that they left behind in their march.

>>678849
the haboru settlement is the enemy base.

>>678848
that is all, let's see what we can make of the recruits.

Be wary of imediately rushing off to scount the origin of the undefeatable enemy horde which our weapons can't harm- we do have a duty to follow after all. I would try not to resent your superiors decisions- the big picture often calls for doing things that arer harder to understand from the inside

LightsaberGuy 2015/10/25(Sun)14:19 No. 679334 ID: 9317b4
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>>678848
"The Háború..." The name rings a bell somewhere. You go over it in your head then come back to her, "That ages old pirate gang from beyond the sea?"
"Correct. I rest assured you know the legends, the Háború were much more than simple pirates. They were as much of a threat to our way of life as these men are now. Those power-hungry blighters came to this land in an armada from across Hatalmas with sizable weapons. These men were savage, brutal, lacking any humane morals. They came raiding small villages for slaves and property, killing all who stood in their way. Soon, they rapidly began building great foundries and monuments to their empire.
"In other aspects, these men differ completely, however. The soldiers we captured have shown to be weak and scrawny under their armor. Unlike the Háború, it seems our new enemy's technology is their only strength. And their armor is uncamouflaged, dense and compact; like a beetle's carapace, almost. They did not arrive to the land in any ship we've found. They cannot be the same nation.
"I will draw the conversation to an end here. I have much work to do. Your may relay your numerous questions to Ira Ruskin, my associate."
"Fair enough," you reckon. "When will our transport arrive?"
"I myself will remain here, concentrating our local resources. Bandits and beasts are still an issue of safety, though not compared to these invaders. Ira will arrive in the morning to escort you Esterwyn. You will ride horseback With supplies in tow. The trek is roughly 190 kilometers, so about three days estimated journey. You will also make a brief stop in Hanley to ascertain their defenses and their militia's preparedness. Though they are equally under-equipped, their guerrilla tactics have proved most efficient. The tremulous Frunfoc may have lost their wits, but our loyal countrymen yet have the will to fight.
"Farewell for now, captain." The two of you exchange the ranger salute, and you are off.

Chapter One LightsaberGuy 2015/10/25(Sun)15:22 No. 679353 ID: 9317b4
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You wake up the next day in your barracks. A good night of sleep does well for your body, the aches in your body gone. As you stretch your limbs, the anxiety of the previous night springs upon you. A thousand questions and concerns transpire inside your mind. Visions of super soldiers and the fall of Sholesdon come to mind. You become a bit eager to meet this Ira and get your questions answered. It was still pretty early in the day, but she would likely already be in the encampment.
Suddenly, you become distracted by a growl in your stomach. You remember that you had forgotten to eat last night after receiving your unconventional, unexpected task.
You take step out of the barracks, onto the court, taking a breath of fresh air. This Autumn day bares a warm sun and a slight breeze. You head towards the galley when a fellow ranger approaches you. He informs you that your comrade, Almond Sherwood, is looking for you to discus an urgent matter. Almond has been a close friend of yours, along with Dan and Jon, since your early training days back in Ashmarsh. You ponder what your old friend could want.

It is roughly a quarter past 8, you consider your next move.
Should you:
• Make contact with your Ira, your teammate
• Visit the galley for some provisions
• Find Almond Sherwood and inquire what he wants

find almond!

Invite Almond to breakfast, leave messages with whoever's appropriate we pass for Ira what we're up to.

Grab Ira and go get your briefing from Almond.

>>679464
>>679444
You resolve on making contact with your new teammate, subsequently joining your friend in conference. First, you inquire your fellow ranger of your friend's whereabouts. "Over by the meeting hall, I last seen 'im."
"If it wouldn't be a hassle, will you tell him that I would like to meet him in the galley after I take care of something?" you ask.
He replies casually, "Righteo, mate."
You take off in the direction of the eastern stockade, where the colonel said she would be. From her description, Ira would be a 5'6", raven-black bob cut, green-eyed youngster—compared to you at least. At 12-years-old, she began as a basic ranger and 15 years later she was introduced to specials ops training. Though you had a habit of looking down on younger rangers, curiosity brushes by as to what this 32-year-old might know which you do not.
Thirteen thin, square towers form a protective barrier all around the encampment and are connected by tall, thick walls made of a light-green timber, trumbulwood. Plain windows are scattered thinly around the walls in seemingly perfect symmetry, along with symmetric holes for archers and artillery. A moderate gate with wooden doors stands at the front of the stockade entrance, guarded by two sentinels. Carts, boxes, tents and various supplies are stacked and packed outside the encampment, ready to be transported.
You arrive at the stables by the stockade, where Ira stands beside her chestnut horse.

>>679760
You salute her, she reciprocates your gesture.
"Ira Ruskin, I presume," you ask earnestly.
A sly sneer meets your greeting. "You must be Lester Helms. Kay informed me of you, said you're the one I'll be transporting." She gives you a quick glance down and up. "To be honest, I expected more out of the man who'll be training our best then a worn-out mossback."

Smile back- no reason to take insult when you can give it. I'd say something along the lines of "And I'd expect a college of Kay to be better informed, but life is full of surprises isn't it?"

"Probably figures I'd get delayed by making rockfall and punji stick traps along the way if I don't have someone impatient making sure I get to the fresh meat on time."

>>679786
By the looks of it, Ira appears to be even more arrogant and critical then you. You at first surmise that she has issues with authority, then you reason it is not a matter of age but of stature. In years of experience, you outrank her, but in level of training she outranks you.
Opting not to turn this into a quarrel, you return her condescending remark with your most earnest smile. "A pleasure to become acquainted with you. Though I'd expect a college of colonel Randall to be better informed, but life is full of surprises isn't it?"
She grimaces wryly, arms crossed.
"She likely told you of my numerous years of experience in both the field and in training. Of how many great rangers have been wrought out of my teaching. Of my medals of honor and—"
"Yes, yes, captain. Everyone knows of the great Lester H Helms, who braved many dangerous monsters and ruthless bandits for the sake of the countryfolk. Yet so has every other old ranger. You have naught experience in battling this new enemy, whereas I have had several months. You do not know the systems of traps we've been using, nor our recon techniques and tactics. I assure you, the baddies you've fought in the past are nothing compared to these men. They're utilitarian, united, highly-advanced. You have not even been in the field in years. Apart from your ego, training children may be the only asset you have to offer."
You are dumbfounded by her belittlement. The colonel did not warn you of her starkly abrasive attitude. You raise your finger for rebuttal just when she cuts you short.
"Save your remarks, captain. While on our journey and in Esterwyn, you will be under MY training. I outrank you. Kay told me of her days playing mentor to you. Of all your rich boy temper tantrums. But I did need to be told the reason why you were reassigned to training duty, everyone knows that as well."
At this point your blood begins to boil, you let your tongue slip. "You see here, you insolent thing, that incident happened long, long ago! I was young at the time, it has been wiped from my record. I have since restored my honors."
"Heh, another one of your tantrums. We're going to have to correct that ego on our way." She points back toward the barracks. "Grab your things and we'll be on your way."
You regain your composure after a moment, thinking of Almond. "I-I have to take care of something first."
"Don't take too long," she remarks.

Ouch- looks like she got the best of us. Still though, if you want to turn this into a fight it's likely that'll make our battle with the enemy just that much harder when both they and our "allies" are at our throats. She means to goad you- don't let her reach you. Stay detatched. Maybe when we re-conviene appolgize, even though you did not start it and are not in the wrong. She IS your superior here. Don't treat her as beneath you and then get upset when her retorts cut. Cool your heels and meet with almond. Fighting her current will not gain us anything, so vindicate yourself in the feild if you must.

LightsaberGuy 2015/10/28(Wed)19:33 No. 679975 ID: 96e992
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>>679902
>>679931
Realizing that she must have some precedent for her crass attitude, you resolve to swallow your pride and apologize next time you see her. Now would be the worst time to cause conflict between you and your teammate, furthermore be a disappointment to Kay. Next time she talks down to you, you'll take it like a man. For now, we have more pressing matters at hand than our dignity. Almond, for instance.
You make your way to the fort's galley, where Almond ought to be by now. There's a lot of hustle and bustle around the fort today, you notice. Everyone must be gearing up for upcoming campaigns also. Many individuals can be seen hauling supplies, in and out of the fort, but mostly out. You greet a few of your fellow rangers, but are too busy to return pleasantries.
The galley lies beside the barracks, facing south on its small lot. It was a dull building, built on gray blocks with wooden door and window frames. A cloud of smoke rose out from the top of the chimney.
Men laugh and shout boisterously, enjoying their meals and each other's company. The ranger corps had always been very close-knit. The air inside is thick with the smell of cooked onions, bu'shrooms, and hash greten meat. Though the small is hard to bear, the taste is humbly delicious. You think you'll order some up. You peer around the crowded room for Almond. You find him on the other side of the bar, drinking a pint of ale.
Almond, a bit younger than you, still had a bit of color to his light gray-brown hair, just as his namesake, which was long and shaggy. He stood a bit taller than ol Les, though slim and compact. Generally a careful, concise phlegmatic, what made him the best in our team in stealth, it was most peculiar to see him tearing up. This worries you. Something must be very amiss.
You pat your friend on the shoulder. "Al, my friend. What is the matter?"
"Lester, my friend, I have terrible news," he articulates woefully.
Poor fellow. First being teased for being named after a nut, now whatever this may be. "There is great unrest in the far East. I have just received word that Man Morgan the bandit king has made a return. He and his associates are operating out of Blunderhaal Woods, terrorizing the villages to the south. Dan Krabill, of our original regiment, is among those battling his reign. It seemed we had the upper hand until the Bloodbane Virus arrived with the season. Many of the villagers became sick with it as well as our rangers, Dan among them. The bandits are still attacking, seemingly unfazed. It appears they have a warlock on their side this time. With this new enemy of Astia on the rise, this couldn't have come at a worse time."

These events might not be a coincidence. And if they are, they soon won't be...

The enemy soldiers use technology that empowers them but leaves them scrawny, as they learn to aim and not to bash. Their tech tree IS DIFFERENT FROM YOURS. If they combine their technology with the magic and technology of this continent, you're screwed.

You have to stop any threats that can be easily subjugated by the enemy, before they learn how to combine their advanced and incomprehensible technology with monumental forces that they have never seen. This infighting may be dangerous, but leave it to an easily outsmarted enemy to do the smart thing and LEARN. Don't give them that chance.

this is super cool and I'm loving how it's unfolding. I'm struggling to reply because I don't have a lot of info- if we were friends with Dan, if we have family to fear for, if a warlock is "oh, shit" buisness or "OH SHIT" buisness. Just an fyi that I'm shooting in the dark here so maybe wait a day or so for another reply or 2 to balence it out. Keep up the good work, I look forward to reading more!
Dan falling ill is certainly grave news- but you shouldn't drink on an empty stomach; have you had any food recently? If not share a meal with me while we talk, as you seem to know more about the problems in the east and I'd like to be informed if at all possible

LightsaberGuy 2015/11/03(Tue)15:03 No. 681177 ID: 96e992
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>>679989
You "Oh no..." are the only words you can muster. This is certainly grave news. You rub your hands together meditatively as you do when anxious.
Dan had been a good friend of yours, as well as Al, Jon. Together, you had spent much of your training days and as junior rangers defending the countryside. Though Dan had been a bit closer to Al. See, there was once day when Al and Dan were cornered by a wackott. Dan fronted it, took a chunk doing so. Al felt indebted to him ever since.
And that's nothing to say about the warlock.
Large practice of alchemy and the magical arts have died out with the line of sages, holy men ordained by the gods. After this, the practice of magic has been declared taboo by the people of the land. Since then, knowledge of the arts has since then been forgotten. Hearing that a warlock has come upon the scene is quite disturbing. This rogue must have been hiding in the shadows for some time, waiting for an opportunity for power. Since sorcerers have vanished, knowledge of how to combat them will likely have also. Depending on his level of power, this enemy will likely be something to fear.
You try to take this as humanely as possible. "Dan falling ill is certainly grave news," you say sympathetically, "but you shouldn't drink on an empty stomach; have you had any food recently? If not, share a meal with me while we talk, as you seem to know more about the problems in the east and I'd like to be informed if at all possible."

Powerful magic would best be countered with powerful anti-magic, or another warlock. Surely if one warlock could hide themself away surely they cannot be the only one.
Alternatively, with the power of the new invaders, some of their technology may be able to rival that of the old magics. Perhaps the eagle can be killed with an arrow haft from one if it's own plumes as the saying goes

>>681177
If he's a large threat, then your best shot is to recruit him. remember, if this guy decides to join the main enemy forces, he can decisively empower their weapons and armor, maybe even turn their foot soldiers into hulking monstrosities with even bigger weapons, and lead to your total defeat. If you bring him on your side, however, you can fight strange technology with strange magic.

Don't eat anything here just yet. Go somewhere nice and buy yourself a sweet roll.

BTW, we need a name for the technology-based enemy. Ground Marines?