Woah woah woah. I'm detecting that you're having some trouble being a respected leader. Are there any reasons why?

Tavern 2015/02/23(Mon)04:26 No. 626275 ID: 189a54
File 142469436383.png - (262.46KB , 700x500 , Army 2.png )

Sitting here, come to the conclusion that I might be having problems being respected? But why?

Been thinking on the issue, no idea why this has happened....
-Top graduate from my Officer Academy class, very knowledgeable!!
-Father is a powerful general, got me into the Academy to start with. Respectable, right?
-VERY FASHIONABLE, I LOOK CHARISMATIC! (MY HAT DOES NOT LOOK LIKE I'M BALANCING A STOOL ON MY HEAD!! MY ROBES DO NOT LOOK LIKE CARPETS!!!)
-Obviously high-born even if they don't know Father. Nobles are to be respected!
-Most importantly I'm in charge!! I'm their new lieutenant! Should be more respectful to their new leader!!

Soldier just popped into the tent. Could have sworn he had a pot on his head? Told me the company's assembled outside? "An' deh tacks say t'come out. Oh, an' dey say leave deh stool an' carpet."

Betting the "tacks" are those bullies! A little nervous, is this a mutiny?! Thinking about what to say when I go out there, what I can do if they have bad intentions....

(Sketched: Supposed to be me in my tent when that levy peeked inside...Mother says I have an artist's hands but I'm not too good, really.)

Hmm. I'm leaning towards keeping your, er, hat and robes. Probably doesn't set a good precedent to so easily bend to their mocking.

Tavern 2015/02/24(Tue)14:09 No. 626441 ID: 189a54
File 142481575503.png - (84.50KB , 700x500 , Army 3.png )

Heading out, will not take off these clothes. Will not bend to their mocking!

Outside, all 60 men lined up. Odd, wears civ. swords. armor but carrying spears

Leaders up front same from earlier

Outrage

Bent to their mocking....

Ringleader of "the tacks" makes outrageous commands!!
-"To hell with whoever your father is, I'm not giving over sixty men's lives to some chimneyhead's brat! You're stripped to wingman (never heard of this rank, new?) until you stop being so...you. And you're damned lucky for that much!"

-Command limited to one "combatant", seems to be only five men!
-Must sleep with my combatant, barred from my own tent!
-Areas I can go to limited?!
---The town hall (when accompanied by a tack)
---Anywhere in the company camp--troop tents, eating area, training grounds (when accompanied by a tack)
---The town library (guess when)

My rank stripped by a commoner and it's not even midday...this is a mess, not sure how to fix things....

(Sketched: This awful company lined up behind their beloved tacks. "Easiest to command," they say...!)

>>626441
At the point what you need most of all is to earn their respect...and perhaps the best way to do that is to show we aren't some wimp who just sends people out to fight because we fear conflict...I say we toss the hat and cloak to the side, and challenge this guy to a duel for insulting us so, show we aren't just a doormat.
...(you DO know how to fight...right?)

Tavern, good to see you back! Hop on IRC sometime, yo
Eh, let's not antagonize them.
"If it will earn the respect of you and these men, then I'll do what's necessary."
Then do shit good, ya ponce.

you need to get back in touch with your father.
Are there any things you are good at, abilities or strengths?

Tavern 2015/02/25(Wed)06:58 No. 626565 ID: 189a54
File 142487633008.png - (296.27KB , 700x500 , Army 4.png )

Long-face my escort, letting me head to my tent to collect my things.

Everything dumped outside command tent!! Servants nowhere to be found! Soldiers nearby laughing...!

Finally moved everything to combatant's sleeping area (no thanks to long-face!!). Scared I will bruise tonight, they sleep like barbarians!

Head tack approaching

Promised him I'd do what's necessary if it'd get their respect. Seemed surprised? "Really, now? (stopped, thought) Your combatant's on patrol in two hours. They're down training, if you're gonna meet them before then."

Patrol in two hours! Trying to think of any strengths or abilities to help, drawing a blank.... All realy I have is my Academy training:
-Advanced fencing skill, top of my class
-Trained in troop formations from company to battalion level (wasn't taught to lead patrols, not much use!!)
-General emergency skills--first aid, basic surgery, etc.

Torn on how to spend this time--call Father for advice, or go meet combatant?

(Sketched: My choices, not sure which to do....)

They lack respect because they think you are nothing except what your father made you. Don't go to your father for something like this go meet your troops.

Train.
The key to the dislike of nobles such as yourself is the distance you have from them and their troubles. Make an effort of trying to understand their view, since they seem to think you a high-born fool who doesn't understand what he's getting into.

Tavern 2015/02/25(Wed)10:13 No. 626572 ID: 189a54
File 142488798416.png - (133.81KB , 700x500 , Army 5.png )

Decided on meeting men. Long-face trusts combatant, says I can go without him.

Many stares not feeling safe

HAT STOLEN!! Almost to train. grnds.

At train. grnds., combatant at work; sketching training area

Cmbtnt. looking over, unsure what to do

One coming over, not sure what to say

"So you're the lil' fluffer--uh, our new wingman. (silence) Dropped the chimney, huh? (silence) You, ah...you write everything in that journal? (silence)

Maybe pick one of the men to spar with!
It might be below your station but it will grant you some trust and respect.
The garments of a noble can be stolen, but the things you learn cannot be taken from you!

>>626572
"Yes. Focuses my thoughts. You up for some sparring?"

Tavern 2015/02/26(Thu)06:41 No. 626675 ID: 189a54
File 142496168833.png - (225.40KB , 700x500 , Army 6.png )

Asked soldier (Jan) to spar

HURT

Trying not to cry where they can see.... Right side killing me, robes torn, combatant's laughing.... Opponent didn't fight fair!

Jan coming over again

"Sorry 'bout that last hit, wingman. Serpent strike's a lot easier to block if you got a good spear and shield in your hands, not one of those tea stirrers your lot call swords. And lose the rug, there's no way you can fight good in them."

Robes ruined anyway, took them off for now....

Jan's "tea stirrer" suggestions:
-"If you're gonna keep using that skinny thing you have to be fast and you have to be dirty."
-"No points and no fouls." Go for whatever's open, only try to kill when they don't have a way to kill you
-"Get some gelehr in you!! (Gelehr? Geller? Unsure what it means)" Become more loose overall, keep in motion and "Unless they've got you hooked or impaled, Move when they hit you! It'll make things better, promise."

Head tack approached, the one in charge. Time for our patrol already?

Tack leader gave me a set of "wingman's gear" on the way out, civ. swords. armor with green "II" painted on helmet. Nobody helped put it on, struggled forever while they laughed...!

Moving

Countryside beautiful, grasslands for miles

Cmbtnt. seems to know patrol route, following more than leading....

Finally spoke up a bit, learned names--Jan, Terr, Young, Bren and North. Tried to introduce myself, they all just called me Fluff.... Thinking they're going by nicknames? What does mine mean...?

Heard something out there

North (seems to be the real leader, not me): "Right where they always are.... Okay, this will be where we take them."

DISTRESSING NEWS UNSURE WHAT'S GOING ON
-PATROL IS TO INTERCEPT DEMONS, ACTUAL DEMONS
-CMBTNT. DOES NOT SEEM AFRAID

Jan: "Don't worry, we don't get the scary stuff down here. Just the dumb ones, mobbers and crawlers and the like. Even you could take them! (cmbtnt laughed....)"

North: "In my homeland, patrols fight titans and horrors often. This will be nothing (cmbtnt agreed, I sobbed a little)"

North transfers lead to me?! "It is simple, trust me. All you have to do is find the best spot for us to fight them."

Looking for area, sounds getting louder, panicking
-bunch of rocks a ways to the right?
-shallow ditch behind us?
-stand in the open?

(Sketched: situation)

Mobbers and crawlers. In other words, mob tactics, correct?
In general, the best thing is for you to move and get yourself someplace where they can't utilize their numbers against you.
For this purpose...I think the rocks are the best bet.
The Ditch is tempting, but I can't help but think they could just then jump on you, and even if you impaled them, their corpse would floor the victim and leave him vulnerable.
So go to the Rocks, and fight from above. Perhaps Fluff could get some rocks, see how good his throwing arm is, since he's currently too bound by the rules and laws of organized fencing for true combat.

>>626675
More information needed:
Do they climb?

Climbing would give them high ground at the rocks, making the ditch slightly more advantageous.

Tavern 2015/02/27(Fri)19:49 No. 626946 ID: 189a54
File 142509536335.png - (333.51KB , 700x500 , Army 7.png )

Thinking of rocks, asking if they climb

North: "Not well enough. Those rocks sound good."

Cmbtnt. following me

Sounds closer

Contact

My heart's going too fast, lightheaded. Cannot describe feelings.

How long was fight, felt like forever.... "Mobbers" and "crawlers" shifted closer, cmbtnt. drew their attention by yelling. Had to be at least 20, big twisted things...looked so *wrong,* gave chills. Cmbtnt. climbed the rocks, struck down at the beasts. Got pulled down from perch by one of them, thought I was dead.... Cmbtnt. came down to save me....

They're not human. 5 soldiers slaughtered over 20 demons by themselves....

North: "Damn good show, Fluff. You're taking those scratches like a man."

What

CHEST OPEN, HEAD SPLIT, BLOOD

DYING

North: "Calm down boy, you were doing so well a moment ago! You will not die."

Terr: "Damn shame though, patrol's not done 'till we go after where this lot came from. Four of us could handle it if you can't go on, Jan could take you back to get fixed up."

Said I'd try walking it off. Every step killing me.... Not sure if I should quit or go on, cmbtnt. looking expectant....

(Sketched: The combatant relaxes as the demons' corpses burn nearby, and a sketch of a mobber and crawler. They all scare me....)

Well done.

It doesn't take superhumans to kill these things. Terrain helps a lot and I bet they are much more dangerous in greater numbers.

Continue on, trust those who have done this before and follow their lead.

better get use to it. You're going to be doing a lot of this for a while now and there might be times where you can't just walk back to base. So just keep going, the pain should num in time.

>>626946
Do not panic! Besides, the fact that you killed them all without a single death on your side shows the use of superior tactics, anyway the Demons charged mindlessly. A rabid, hungry mob. it wouldn't take a TACTICAL GENIUS to defeat them.

>>626946
Continue.
Fight with every fiber of your being, and they will be at your side.

Do what you can to clean up: Looking injured can draw unwanted attention from predators, natural or otherwise.

Tavern 2015/03/01(Sun)05:54 No. 627205 ID: 189a54
File 142521805734.png - (180.47KB , 700x500 , Army 8.png )

Can't panic can't give up

Need to clean

Cmbtnt. found me on the ground, helped me back to the rocks. Bren cleaned and wrapped injuries, was smiling?

Moving on, cmbtnt. following

Found small pedestal with black orb on top. A "Sender," the men call it. Smashed it to pieces, job done, they say. Feeling dizzy, North says we can rest for a bit.

Cmbtnt. all keep grinning at me, feeling uncomfortable

Sun's starting to set, preparing to head back. Unsure if what we did today will ever fully sink in...killed *demons*!! Did not know that was a thing until today!!

Cmbtnt. agree I should lead them back?!

Passing by rocks again, body pile is ashes now

Can see the tents, head ringing

North: "Fine job today, Fluff. I'll be telling Renauld (head tack) what you did; you keep up whatever got into you out there and you'll be a tack in no time."

Cmbtnt. all patted my helmet, could taste pain

Worth it

Woke up in infirmary? Seems dark out, lamps lit. Only person here.

Felt self some, checked injuries. Not feeling much pain, I think I'm okay. Unsure what to do, where to go....

(Sketched: Quick draw of the Sender while it was still fresh on my mind. From what cmbtnt. said, its orb is usually somewhere on the color sphere. Never seen white, this is the first time seeing black.... Important, or just a fluke?)

>>627205
It is your duty to recover. Wandering off will lead to at least one pissed off medic.

Think. Why would they omit the existence of demonic opponents from your training? The unit did not seem shocked at all, and apparently knew exactly how to deal with the situation, so they are not a new threat.

Another thing to consider: Why did they deny blessing the company standard?

Use the message stone, if you have it. Maybe someone you know is still awake that could help you figure things out.

Tavern 2015/03/05(Thu)05:28 No. 627820 ID: 189a54
File 142556213420.png - (278.69KB , 700x500 , Army 9.png )

Probably shouldn't leave, don't want to make medics angry....

Bren came in, talking

Might as well ask him these questions

Why didn't I know about something like demons?! Cmbtnt. knew how to deal with them, obviously not a new threat.

Bren: "That's chimneyheads for you. They just sweep things like what's going on at the borders under the rug, can't have bad news ruining their perfect cities. Bunch of children.... (hesitated?) Not including you, I mean. Wasn't your fault they didn't teach you anything."

If I'm different, why denied blessing the company standard?

Bren: "Er.... No offense to you, especially after today, but.... You don't really compare to the last man to bless it. We'd all feel a little better keeping that blesing on it, sorry...."

Asked Bren where my message stone was, he went to go get it. Thinking of who I could call to help figure things out....
-Father might still be up? Maybe busy, though.
-My classmate Urem from the Academy should be settled in his post up north by now. Maybe still awake, especially if he had an experience like mine...!
-The tactics teacher from the Academy is probably still up too, Angstrom always works late.

(Sketched: Bren at the tent's opening. I wish I could draw faces, his is quite interesting....)

>>627820
-My classmate Urem from the Academy should be settled in his post up north by now. Maybe still awake, especially if he had an experience like mine...!

He might. At the very least you can commiserate with each other about your woes.
Your dad might not know much and the teacher might know more useless information than actual tactics.

Tavern 2015/03/05(Thu)10:17 No. 627832 ID: 189a54
File 142557947762.png - (238.78KB , 700x500 , Army 10.png )

Bren dropped off the stone, said he's outside if I need him. Thinking I'll call Urem.

Stone's responding, he's awake, at least. Taking a while to answer....

MISSING AN EYE!! And smiling?!!

"Salve! Sorry about that, I was getting fixed up some. How's things down south?"

What?!

(Sketched: The crazy bastard's grinning with blood running down his face!!)

THEY FIGHT DEMONS AND THEY DON'T EVEN BLINK! WHAT IN THE WORLD IS GOING ON!?!
If you've been holding in the panic, now's the time to let it out.

Tavern 2015/03/05(Thu)18:45 No. 627890 ID: 189a54
File 142560994950.png - (398.03KB , 700x500 , Army 11.png )

Vented just a little bit

"H-hey now, we're officers, man! I can't really give you a hug, we're miles away.... And no tears in front of the men, yeah?"

Told about demons, cmbtnt.

"So they're that tough down south, too! It's really something, isn't it? These bordermen are a different breed!"

No likeminded thoughts here.... Urem's a good friend but he's always been caught up in hero fantasies, probably enjoying himself right now...!

Shouts from his end?

"Nice hit, Boat! Sorry Salve, another one of these, uh...slithers, they're called? Another slither tried saying paying us a visit. See? Say hi, you lot!"

His men make the combatant look weak....

"Uh-oh, sounds like a few more are out there somewhere. Something you were calling about?"

(Sketched: The view from the message stone. Urem's patrol waving from beside...something. And I thought the combatant seemed tough.....)

go see the thing

Tavern 2015/03/06(Fri)13:15 No. 627931 ID: 189a54
File 142567655084.png - (347.00KB , 700x500 , Army 12.png )

Told him to go see the thing, want to draw it....

It sees me?

Yells outside

DEMON IN HERE

Tell him you gotta go, grab your weapon and go help.

Tavern 2015/03/06(Fri)18:39 No. 627968 ID: 189a54
File 142569593959.png - (238.80KB , 700x500 , Army 13.png )

Grabbed sword slipped out under tent it didn't follow

CHAOS

Fighting everywhere they're everywhere in the camp sketching map
-Two breaches north and south
-Demons in front of command tent too close
-Can hear fighting at training area
-Group moving for south breach maybe 20 men
-Movement at troop tents?
-North breach horde going left toward hill, the standard flies there, men probably defending

Demon in med. tent moving, not found yet must move quick but where

run distraction.

Tavern 2015/03/12(Thu)17:59 No. 628853 ID: 189a54
File 142620835730.png - (142.65KB , 700x500 , Army 14.png )

Must distract them not a lot here to use
-Flint here, torch med. tent? Draw with fire?
-Try to catch attention with voice, distract alone while comp. relocates?
-Something else? Unsure what to do

Demon in tent roared

I know the sound of death

>>628853
Are there any munitions? Find something loud bangish and start lobbing it at the thing.

Tavern 2015/03/14(Sat)17:50 No. 629143 ID: 189a54
File 142638064664.png - (404.04KB , 700x500 , Army 15.png )

Need something with gunpowder, in tent across CHASED

CHASED

ALMOST DIED HIDING UNDER BARRELS UNSURE WHERE I AM

FIGHTING EVERYWHERE

CAN'T BREATHE

SOMETHING NEAR BARREL

"Ye dem fluffer, git up and git movin'!"

Rifle cmbtnt.? Six rflmn.

"We got minutes 'fore these things kill the lot of us and yer hidin' in the gunpowder! Ye--stop writin' and lissen! Ye have to git t'the command tent, ye hear?"

Why

"The breaker, ye bastard! Need to start the breaker!"

Rifles moving following

Keeping hidden demons massing round the groups

Near cmmnd. tent now hidden behind med. tent

That demon at cmmnd. tent!!

LOOKING THIS WAY

Do you have your sword at the ready?
Get it out, but then call for help, stay defensive and keep yourself safe.
If you can, try and get that thing to break it's position and then enter the tent, and skewer it when it comes for you!

Tavern 2015/03/19(Thu)19:10 No. 630020 ID: 189a54
File 142681743752.png - (152.69KB , 700x500 , Army 16.png )

Gods I hurt, things are fogging over

I have to focus

Last night...

Damn it what happened

-Demons attacked camp
-Close encounter with large demon, escaped med. tent and hid
-Saved by a riflemen combatant
-Went for command tent to use "breaker"
-Large demon in front of tent, engaged with riflemen
-Ribs cracked, thing moved fast
-Rifles told me to go, distracted demon
-Crawled into command tent, found breaker
-Activated it, near-instant silence
-Demons gone, company in motion
-Tried to find combatant, mostly okay; Bren is dead

Bren is dead

Oh gods I killed him

I just want to sleep

Never been more ashamed, tacks came in and saw me.... Was a mess, and Renauld told me so.

Situation:
-Casualties: 14 dead including one of the tacks, and another 5 wounded....
-"Something's not right out there. We're not staying here, we've got to go...somewhere. I don't...."
-Made a tack, in charge of what's left of 4 combatants including my own...I don't deserve this.
-Renauld drew out general directions of the nearest locations:
+Border camps similar to ours about two weeks out to our east and west.
+North through forest or through plains will lead to one of the nation's commerce towns eventually.

The tacks say we'll leave for wherever I say when I feel ready enough to move.... I don't know where to send these men, why are they waiting for me?

(Sketched: Renauld drew this map of the main locations within two weeks' march of us for me. The red area is unknown space, he says.... "I don't know what's going on but I'm feeling sick just looking out there. As far as we're concerned that land out there is demon territory now.")

>>630020
Nut up, soldier. You need to be an example to your men, and that means sucking in your gut and acting like you know what the fuck is going on at all times.
Long as somebody has a plan, people don't panic.

1/2 Tavern 2015/03/21(Sat)18:00 No. 630285 ID: 189a54
File 142698601840.png - (156.80KB , 700x500 , Army 17.png )

Can't keep thinking like this, got to be an example to my men. It's hard, though....

Tacks came in asking if I'd thought of a plan. BS'd big time....
-Chose a random direction, said that company would move for Tershe.
-Spouted something about formations, demanded comany to move on the road in a phalanx with the wounded close behind

They seemed...relieved? Heard Palde (long-face) tell Renauld "pr'aps we're'nt dead" as they left.

Heard someone blow a horn outside, movement. Getting ready to leave?

My combatant came, told me they'll keep with me. Can't fit armor or fight with ribs like this, they'll be my guards for a while....

Heading out

They're not bringing much--sleeping mats, weapons, gunpowder, food, med. things, that's all. Oh damn speaking of which!!

Managed to snatch message stone and some extra charcoals before leaving

First day of marching went smoothly. Not too slow even with wounded, company carries them easily. Feeling a bit useless, combatant has to carry most of my gear for me....

Second day passing well, much ground covered. Surprised that I'm keeping up so well, haven't fallen behind pace even with injuries!

Heard soldiers grumbling over "slow pace because of fluffer".....

Been travelling a week, no issues so far (besides ones I'm causing....). Tacks say we've passed out of the "borderlands." "From here on it shouldn't be demons we're worrying about." Why does that sound so scary...?

2/2 Tavern 2015/03/21(Sat)18:03 No. 630286 ID: 189a54
File 142698618135.png - (70.04KB , 700x500 , Army 18.png )

AMBUSH!!

Rifle companies lined on both sides of road, no room to run it's over

Two men on road up ahead they're dressed like I was.... Lieutenants?

"Stop where you are, bordermen! Who's in charge of this lot? Come forward!"

Oh gods the tacks are looking at me what do I do

>>630286
"That would be me."

Tavern 2015/03/21(Sat)23:01 No. 630313 ID: 189a54
File 142700407485.png - (258.71KB , 700x500 , Army 19.png )

Stepping forward...!

That would be me

"A commoner in charge? Where is your lieutenant, you--"

"Brother, I think that is their lieutenant!"

"I've never seen a lieutenant in a civilian soldiers uniform, brother. Or that beaten up."

"Look closer, brother! See his face? And his book!"

"His--hey! Salve? The journal boy?"

Oh no it's these two, Golman and Dolman from the Academy, they copied my notes like all the time

"What're you doing this far north dressed like that? You're an odd one but you never seemed like the deserting type...."

Attack on our camp-things went bad-bad to the point of needing reinforcements-what you see is all that's left of us.

>>630313
The camp was overrun by a literal horde of daemons in the middle of the night, you're lucky you weren't wiped out completely.

>>630313
You might be in real trouble here. You moved the troops without feedback from the folks in charge, without telling anyone.
That spot you once occupied is now a hole in the southern lines, and has been for a week.

Tavern 2015/03/29(Sun)13:06 No. 631597 ID: 189a54
File 142765960320.png - (399.68KB , 700x500 , Army 20.png )

Told them about demons, lucky to be alive

"Demons? (Glanced back at rifles?) That's.... That's ridiculous."

"Yes, ridiculous. It was late, wasn't it? Could have been some of those Golden men, the ones who wear those costumes...."

Golden raiders? We have a ceasefire with Golden

"You're serious? How long have you been out of things? Come on, we can talk at our camp."

Rifles stood down, lieutenants leading us to their camp. Tacks looking a little nervous, technically company leaders can be executed for moving company from a post without orders...

Company getting help from rifles' surgeons, heading to command tent with tacks and lieutenants

Lieutenants looking worried....

"Gods, I'd hoped they were just messing with us.... We have one hell of a mess, Salve."
-Golden invading?! "The furred bastards started a new push last week. They haven't met anything but skirmishers yet, the army's still mustering at the capital."
-Entire southern border silent!! Did demons hit everywhere? "The capital guessed it was a mass desertion or something, that sort of thing's happened in the border posts before. Seeing your men, seems more likely they were all hit by...by raiders."

"Our rifles have been ordered to go south and pick up any deserters for the army. If all of them were hit by, uh.... If the raiders have taken the south, we may want to just head back toward the capital. The south borderlands might be Golden territory now...."

"What do you think, Salve? Your lot's come from down there, you'd know. Could there be more groups that survived whatever happened?"

(Sketched: Quickly drawn map of Pol and neighboring countries. Golden and their advance in green, the demons' attack in red. This is a bad position.... Which way to go, across the warpath of barbarians or back toward hordes of demons....)

Go more toward the barbarians. That way, you at least have the option of parley or surrender.

Probably wise to compose some sort of formal apology for leaving your assigned position without orders, but I think you did the right thing under the circumstances and won't be punished in any serious way if the senior officers are competent. You didn't abandon your duty; you were faced with overwhelming force and made an orderly retreat to avoid squandering the lives of those under your command.