Timur, the leader of the Eleftheroi, sat at the head of one of the largest tables. His commanding presence was impossible to ignore. Dressed in a deep red tunic embroidered with intricate tribal patterns, he exuded a quiet confidence that matched the resilience of his people. As we gathered around the table, he gestured for us to sit, pouring a dark, spiced drink into horn cups and passing them around.
“I trust you all slept well?” Timur began, his voice rich and warm, cutting through the gentle hum of the camp’s activity.
“The hospitality of the Eleftheroi is unmatched,” I replied, raising the cup in a gesture of thanks. The drink was sharp, with honey and an herbal undertone that lingered on the tongue.
Timur smiled, his weathered face softening. “Good to hear. Our people may be fierce, but we take good care of our friends and kin. Which brings me to something I wish to discuss.”
I leaned forward slightly, intrigued.
“Your man, Nathanos, did you talk to him?” Timur said, glancing at the broad-shouldered warrior sitting at a nearby table, which was the same table Azlynn was also seated at. “My niece Azlynn is waiting for his reply. She’s a skilled rider and archer, but she’s also... stubborn. It seems she’s captivated by him.”
Sora, sitting across from him, smirked and leaned in.
“She’s not the only one who’s been obsessed,” she teased, earning a glare from Timur.
Timur’s laughter rumbled like distant thunder. “I see my niece’s charms are not lost on Nathanos. That’s good. I will mention this to his father, and he’ll be overjoyed. I’ll be giving you a few horses as a gift to celebrate the union. And, well... I suppose some Khuzait slaves as well.”
A silence fell over the table at Timur’s words. My mind raced as I weighed the implications of accepting such a gift. The horses and riders would undoubtedly strengthen Nova, but the mention of slaves posed a moral dilemma I couldn’t ignore.
We would gladly take such gifts; however, we do not keep slaves in our group. Slaves, understandably, prioritize their freedom above all else, which could lead to unforeseen betrayals that might endanger our members. I offered some fragile justifications—admittedly weak and unconvincing—but at that moment, I couldn’t think of anything better.
Timur, sensing the shift in the atmosphere, spoke again.“Do not take it the wrong way,” he said, his tone measured. “These slaves are no longer warriors of the Khuzait. They were captured in battle and have served faithfully here. If you wish to free them, that is your decision. But know this—they are excellent horsemen. Their skills would be an asset to any group.”
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“I trust them enough to send them along with my son. They have been serving my family loyally and will regard my son or my niece as their lords without any question. They will be a great addition to your forces and also it will provide me peace of mind that my son and my niece will be safe.”
“We’ll honour your generosity and we’ll make sure they find a place within Nova,” I replied, choosing my words carefully, aware that there was no room for negotiation. If necessary, I could simply free the slaves, removing any moral burden.
Timur nodded, satisfied. The conversation shifted to lighter topics, with Timur sharing tales of Azlynn’s adventures and her fiery spirit. Sora’s occasional quips kept the mood lively, and the meal stretched into the early afternoon, filled with laughter.
To receive the rewards for this task we were informed to visit Onira the capital of the southern Empire. With our mission accomplished, it was time to depart. The marriage was scheduled for the auspicious day of Delki, a sacred occasion when the Eleftheroi honoured Mother Earth. The festival of Delki was still a few months away, and until then, Azlynn would remain with her people.
Ruslan, accompanied by half a dozen trusted slaves, would join our ranks. Though there was a hint of sadness in Ruslan’s behaviour as he prepared to leave his family, it was a necessary step. According to their traditions, gaining experience in the outside world was vital for him to take on the responsibilities of a tribe chief.
The road to Onira stretched before us, winding through rolling hills and dense forests before opening into the fertile plains of Imperial lands. The terrain changed gradually, the rugged mountains giving way to lush greenery. Wildflowers dotted the roadside, their vibrant colours a welcome contrast to the stark, rocky landscape we had left behind. The air grew warmer, carrying the faint aroma of blooming flora.
As we travelled, the rhythmic clatter of horse hooves and the creak of wagon wheels filled the air. The men rode in relaxed formations, their spirits lifted by the promise of good food and bed. Sora rode beside me, her sharp eyes scanning the horizon.
“Onira will be a change of pace,” she said, her voice tinged with curiosity. “The tournament grounds will still be buzzing with activity. Do you think we’ll run into familiar faces?”
“It’s possible,” I replied. “Competitors from across Calradia would’ve travelled there. And with Nova gaining recognition, we might draw attention ourselves.”
“Good or bad attention?” she asked, raising an eyebrow.
“That depends on how we carry ourselves,” I said. “Let’s focus on securing allies and avoiding unnecessary conflicts.”
The conversation lapsed into a comfortable silence as we approached Onira.
We entered the city with caution, the significance of our reputation heavy on our shoulders. The cobbled streets felt foreign underfoot after days of dirt paths, and the sheer scale of Onira was a stark contrast to the simplicity of the Eleftheroi territory. Yet, as we navigated the crowded streets, I couldn’t shake the feeling that this city held as many dangers as it did opportunities.
As we were travelling past the tournament grounds, memories of our previous battles resurfaced. Nathanos, riding just behind me, seemed lost in thought. Sora, ever perceptive, nudged her horse closer to his.
“Thinking about Azlynn?” she asked with a sly grin.
Nathanos hesitated briefly before shaking his head, prompting me to chuckle. Sora, quick to seize the moment, teased with a sly remark, “Trying to laugh away your sorrows, Captain? Despite all your valiant deeds, it seems the girls are only interested in marrying Nathanos, not you.” She added with a playful grin, “I wonder when the marriage proposals will start rolling in for you, Captain.”
The group’s laughter echoed as we finally reached the inn. I along with Silvana and Nathanos decided to visit the governor’s office to collect our payment whereas the rest of the troops dismounted and went towards the inn.
Discord -
Augustus:
Attributes:
One-Handed: Lvl 8
Two-Handed: Lvl 3
Polearm: Lvl 4
Bow: Lvl 0
Crossbow: Lvl 0
Throwing: Lvl 2
Riding: Lvl 4
Athletics: Lvl 9
Crafting: Lvl 2
Scouting: Lvl 4
Tactics: Lvl 8
Roguery: Lvl 4
Charm: Lvl 7
Leadership: Lvl 9
Trade: Lvl 6
Steward: Lvl 8
Medicine: Lvl 3
Engineering: Lvl 1
Other stats:
Denars: 9080
Party Upkeep Cost (Daily): 315 (-5%)
— Increased cost considering number of slaves and horses - rewards not yet added.
Food Supply: <9 Days>
Renown: 83/200 (Stage 1)
- Noble Quests: Your renown has reached a level where nobles may approach you with special tasks and contracts. Completing these quests may bring wealth, influence, and deeper alliances.
- Independent Party Management: You can now assign one of your companions to lead an independent party or Merchant Caravan. You will retain access to monitor their progress, stats, and resources remotely through the system.
Influence: None
Inventory:
3 carts, 4 mules, 5 desert horses, 6 steppe horses
Armour- Tabard Over Mail + Helmet Over Padded Cloth + Mail mittens
Weapon - Eagle Sword + kite reinforced shield
Banner -
Squire’s Banner
+5 increased speed to mounted troops.
Skills :
Shield Bash: grants increased shield strength and adds a "Destabilization" effect on enemies once this skill is used. (party skill)
Well Built: reduces chances of death upon receiving a fatal wound (party skill)
Virile: More likely to have children. Gain loyalty, morale, and relationships when spending time with troops and companions.
Frugal: Hiring costs reduced by 20%. Daily wages reduced by 5%.
Appraiser: Appraises the prices of tradable items.
Raise the Meek: +4 experience every day to tier 1 and tier 2 troops.
Tight Formations: +10% damage to cavalry if troops are in tight formation.
Party:
Sora, Silvana, Nathanos, Alea, Phasos, Abda, Ruslan (Temp) (37/37) recruits
(Note: a/b recruits Indicates "a" out of "b" recruits are not wounded)
Troop Composition:
Archers - Silvana + 6 recruits
Infantry - Nathanos + 17 recruit
Cavalary - Ruslan + Leon (desert horse){ he can be counted as a recruit too} + 13 recruits
Support - Sora + Abda + Phasos + Alea + 1 recruit (Tim)
Leon- Potential: Archer/Cavalry/Blacksmith
- Rank: Regular soldier
- Companion status: Cannot be converted to companion
- Morale: High
- Gear: Average
- Daily wage: 15 denars
Silvana- Potential: Archer/ Tracker(Scout)
- Rank: Companion (1/8)
- Companion status: Converted
- Morale: High
- Loyalty: High < Companion exclusive>
- Gear: Average
- Daily wage: 15 denars
Nathanos- Potential: Infantry/ Cavalry
-Rank: Companion (2/8)
- Companion status: Converted
- Morale: High
- Loyalty: High < Companion exclusive>
- Gear: Good
- Daily wage: 15 denars
Abda- Potential: Trader/ Medic
-Rank: Companion (3/8)
- Companion status: Converted
- Morale: High
- Loyalty: High< Companion exclusive>
- Gear: Low
- Daily wage: 15 denars
Ruslan- Potential: Cavalry/ Steward/ Trader/ Engineer
- Rank: Companion (4/8)
- Companion status: Temporary
- Loyalty: Medium< Companion exclusive>
- Morale: Average
- Gear: Good
- Daily wage: None
Alea- Not of age
Phasos- Not of age