>>6369778

You are Prince Alric Perenolde, the second heir of Alterac, renowned swordsman, secretly a mage in training, boyfriend to Malevus Silverthread and most importantly really seasick.

For the past six days the weather hasn't been to your liking. The winds had been strong and rocked the ship quite a lot, slowing the journey back to Southshore down a lot. You had tried to spend as much as possible on the deck and trying to have the fresh sea air help you, but the rocking motion was your biggest weakness and so you spend most of your time resting in your bed trying to sleep through all of this.

Malevus had kept you company by praying and blessing you from time to time. It had helped a bit, but it was no panacea. Her holding your hand helped a bit more, having her there calmed your mind a lot. But it was no solution, only solution would be you getting your feet on even and steady ground.

Seagulls could be seen circling over the ship, you looked up and down. In the distance you could see the Alteraci Mountains breaking the horizon. Finally you could smile and you found strength within you.

“Prince Alric.” Beric greeted you.

Beric of Strahnbrad was your main trader. The short bald gnome looking man was known for his short temper and similar appetite for swear words, but not once he had left you hanging.

“Beric.”

“Feeling any better?” He asked.

“Not really.” You replied and sighed. “A couple more hours though.”

“Seasickness, fucking awful.” He said.

“You are lucky.”

“I can’t imagine how you are feeling.” Beric said.

“Dreadful.” You said and leaned on the railing trying to keep your light lunch within you. You hadn’t vomited not once and this close to the shore you wouldn’t do so. “What is what you want?”

“Just to inform you, my talks in Stormwind City were rather fruitful. The merchants there now know what we have to offer and I think we might be able to extend our trade there.” Beric told you.

“What does that mean?” You asked.

“More coin, not now, but in the future.” Beric replied.

That’s good, at least it was something. Beric had done his job as your trader in Stormwind and extended your influence through the merchants.

“Anything else?”

“Not much, other than I will be having my hands full in Southshore. I won’t be visiting Dawnholme much if not at all.” Beric said.

“Thank you for the warning. Send me a letter before autumn comes, I want to know your ideas and such by then.” You replied.

“Of course, we both will be rich through this.” Beric said and laughed.

You were fairly sure that Beric was somewhat lining his own pockets with the trade, but you let it slide. He was loyal to you and has helped to formulate the whole market fair and caravan system that directed plenty of coin to your own coffers. Now he had his own problems with the current leadership in Southshore, but you were sure he would manage them.

Now though, you were really close to the shore.

1/3

>>6369779

When the ship arrived to Southshore you were the first to disembark. Getting firm ground under your feet did wonders and it didn’t take long for you to shake the shaking motion away from your mind. Stretching your back you watched as the rest of your men and Malevus followed you and with the ship tied to the pier, they carefully disembarked your horses as well.

You gave the command, it was still morning and if you were to ride fast you would reach Dawnholme before evening. Mounting your horses with your knights, you told the Royal Foot Guards to follow you when everything was ready in Southshore. They were not to hurry at all, you would survive without them easily.

Riding through Southshore, it didn’t take that long for you to get through the gate and reach the open road ahead of you. It felt so good to be on familiar grounds that you laughed and pushed Epona to pick up speed. The ride back home would be so enjoyable.

…

You reached Dawnholme before it was evening and you rode past your own people who saw their Prince for the first time in a month or so. Dismounting Epona, you left her for the stablehands as you marched directly to your home. While you had been away, the Stonemasons had finished most of their work on the cellar and the homestead rested on its foundations and not on wooden stilts anymore.

“I am home!” You shouted as you pushed the door open.

“Alric!” Taretha shouted out as she had been startled by your sudden appearance.

“Tari!” You could only reply as you walked to her and carefully leaned down to hug her. She was still pregnant and knitting something.” How are you?”

“Ready to burst.” She lamented and laughed. “It is so great to see you.”

“I am so happy as well.” You replied.

“How did your trip to Stormwind go?” She asked.

Malevus stepped through the front door wearing her new black clothes, her eyes brightened as she saw Tari and she too walked to her to hug her.

“Not you too Malevus…” Tari laughed as her hug reached Tari.

“I have missed you so much…” Malevus replied, rubbing her cheeks with Tari’s. “You look wonderful.”

“Monica visited a couple days back, she did my hair.” Tari said. “You have also received some letters.”

2/3

>>6369780

“Alric!”

Your foster-mother Maura shouted out as she came to see what was the commotion.

“Mother.” You replied as she hugged you and then moved to hug Malevus next to you who seemed surprised. “Where is Normand?”

“In his office as always.” Maura replied. “He should come down to see his son sooner than later.”

“Well that is typical of him.” You laughed. “So Tari…”

“Alric!” Normand shouted out and stomped down the stairs as you were going to speak with Tari.

Normand Garside, your foster-father, walked to you and shook your hand before shaking the hand of Malevus as well.

“Welcome home.” He said to you, your old man had grown and trimmed his beard to be a short one

“Father… I wasn’t away from home that long.” You replied.

“You were away long enough for us to become concerned.” He said to you. “So how did the trip to Stormwind go? You must have a lot to tell us?”

Well…

You had a lot to tell them, but you had no idea where to start. Maybe it was better to start from one thing and go through everything one by one.


Choose one:
>Tell your mother and father about you and Malevus. They deserve to know with Taretha already being in the know.
>Call your officers for a meeting and tell them everything about Stormwind and what has happened. You need a strategy meeting for what is to come.
>You are going to wait till tomorrow for all of this. You are dead tired and you wish to keep everything closed and shut till then. Those letters interest you a lot.
>Other, write in.

QM: Choose one from where to start. I know you want to go through everything.

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>>6369782

Welcome to Alterac Resurgent Quest! I am your QM Medivh and I am available to answer near any question be it about the Quest itself, world or the characters. So go ahead and ask those questions, I will try to answer them as best I can without spoiling things to come.

That being said, I hope all the readers, lurkers and players have a splendid time with this. We put a big story arc behind us and are stepping into something new and wonderful. I have gotten my own notes together and what we are going to face is going to be top fun or !!FUN!! depending on your choices.

>>6369782
>Tell your mother and father about you and Malevus. They deserve to know with Taretha already being in the know.

>>6369782
>>Tell your mother and father about you and Malevus. They deserve to know with Taretha already being in the know.

Hope is the first step to the road of disapointment.

>>6369782
>>Tell your mother and father about you and Malevus. They deserve to know with Taretha already being in the know.

>>6369782
>Tell your mother and father about you and Malevus. They deserve to know with Taretha already being in the know.
Yeah we can keep what Varian did and everything about Stormwind for later talk. It's definitely a long talk to have, in comparison to something happier. We might as well just call everyone important under us for it, even say Chief Ragis.

There is still other good news we can deliver, so is not just going to be that long political talk either. Like going to Hampton and tell him he doesn't have to coordinate the faith in two settlements. And we can ponder on Radan, if making him a paladin is politically feasible.

>>6369785
So where to start :
- Did Tari already tell of the possible names for the kid?
- Nalice is in our service now. So does it make sense to keep Eligius spymaster training going ? I don't mind because Eligius is clearly good at it, and we have invested a considerable amount of his time by now on it. But its a question to think upon.
- We are going to have a talk with VanCleef soon again ? I recon Erefor and the rest of Stonemasons will be happy to hear they will arrive.
- When we can get a spar with Sir Cyrus or Bakhtet ? I know Cyrus is still with Pai and Eligius doing the suicide mission but how much time it will take for them to be back (unknown shenanigans and troubles aside) ?
- What happened in Stormwind will affect our work relationship with Garrick Blacksteel (dwarfs voting for us there) ?

>>6369782
>Tell your mother and father about you and Malevus. They deserve to know with Taretha already being in the know.
>AND THAT DRESS
First things first

>>6369782
>Tell your mother and father about you and Malevus. They deserve to know with Taretha already being in the know

Hmmm I can imagine who sent a letter. Blackmoore will need to hear what happened and the news about the Camps. Budget cuts, loss of control over some camps, more orcs sent to his camps. The loss of budget is somewhat mitigated by regional defenders in the north and Dalaran using their troops to man the camps. Plus we are sending him 100 men.

The whole Varian going mad arc, being stripped of his throne, Malevus arc should help I think to know there's an actual King who got fucked harder than him schadenfreude, Arthas as well who was the support behind Garithos. Varian would have been a vote for even more budget cuts I have no doubt.

Will he enter the Darrowmere League with how things turned out? Maybe? Spite towards the Alliance leadership, economic opportunities in the League, the sentiment of the Durnholders.

>>6369785
Magic session using the bonus we got from training with Jaina soon? I did have ideas but most of it was battle magic. I was thinking about social magic. For instance Malevus's clarity of thought. If you could seemingly alleviate someone's fear and anxiety with your presence and words how powerful is that in talking to people and convincing them your plan is good? Could be very powerful on non-mages. A sort of Inner Fire that Alric invoked in the gnoll frost mage duel. Would that be doable? Could be very handy in a few up and coming social encounters here.

“Malevus, I think it is the time.” You said to her.

“A time for… oh, oh right yes.” She quickly realised what you meant. “Tari already knows.”

“I know…” Tari started to say, but stopped when you took the hand of Malevus. “That of course.”

“What is going on?” Normand asked you.

“Just that me and Malevus…” you started to say to him, but before you could continue your mother hugged the two of you.

“I knew it!” Maura shouted out. “I am so happy for the two of you.”

Malevus was thoroughly surprised as Maura hugged her and you. She looked at you and then at Maura.

“How did you know?” She asked her.

“A mother knows his son and the way the two of you kept looking at each other… even a blind man could notice something was going on.” Maura told you and continued as she let go of you. “Well Normand didn’t notice.”

“I thought that you and Calia… that is why I didn’t believe what others were saying.” Normand defended himself.

“Yeah… it didn’t work with Calia, the distance made it impossible.” You told him and continued. “What are the others saying? What do you mean?”

“Your officers some believed that you and Malevus and some didn’t. They even made bets.” Normand told you.

“Bets?” You had to ask.

“Oh, Madam Martin told me that there’s a betting ring…” Malevus said to you.

“A betting ring? Why didn’t you tell me?” You now asked her.

“I forgot! We had so much to do!” She replied.

“Well fine, I need to raise that up with the others.” You replied and pinched the bridge of your nose. This was annoying.

“When did the two of you… start dating?” Normand asked you. He was really bad at this.

“A couple months back? Officially I am still courting her, but… I think we are already past that.” You said and looked at her.

“Alric is giving me the time to become a Paladin first. To realise my dreams.” Malevus added.

“So till then courting it is.” You finished.

Maura hugged the two of you again and you hugged her back.

“Welcome to be part of the family.” Maura said to her.

“I feel like she has been part of the family from the start.” You laughed. “One thing just led into another and now I am the happiest man alive.”

You leaned closer and kissed her which made Maura practically beam with happiness.

“So will the two of you…” Normand started, but got interrupted.

“Of course they will.” Maura said and let go of Malevus and you. “We will move your belongings to Alric’s room tomorrow.”

“That quickly?” Malevus asked her.

“Of course!” Maura replied.

“She wants grandchildren.” You said to Malevus who turned bright red nearly immediately. “We have talked about seven children, a nice round number.”

“Alric!” Malevus protested as Maura beamed with happiness.

“Though mother, you have to practice first with Tari and her child. I want Malevus to realise her own dreams just as much as she does.” You told her.

1/3

>>6370095

Maura kept hugging the two of you for a moment before letting go of you. She took hold of her hand and nodded towards the kitchen.

“Let’s go wash the dishes, I want to talk with you.” Maura said and dragged Malevus with her, leaving you with Tari who was still sitting and Normand who was still surprised.

“So Malevus? An elf?” He asked you.

“She is very beautiful.” Tari replied for you. “And they have sparred together so much. Malevus is practically his shadow.”

“Tari is right, one thing led into another and soon we realised we were in love.” You told him and smiled.

Normand nodded as if he understood what Tari and you told him.

“Makes sense, just make sure she will be happy.” He said to you.

“Don’t worry about that.” You replied and yawned. “Light I am tired, I think I will go to rest. We can talk about Stormwind and everything that happened tomorrow.”

“Alright, I will tell the others to be ready to be present.” Normand said.

“Good, you do that.”

It felt really good to be back home. Your family, Tari and everyone else were here. And with Malevus by your side, a new chapter would open. A chapter you very happily allowed to open.

…

Having helped Tari to get up the stairs as she was quite pregnant, you watched as the Royal Foot Guards carried your travel chest into your room. There were a couple letters on your desk. You looked at them, but decided to not open them yet, that can wait till tomorrow as well. Your room was untouched, everything was there where you had left them and so you just kicked off your boots and took off your jacket.

It didn’t take long for you to find yourself comfortable under the blanket, propped up by several pillows as you waited for Malevus. Finally after a while she pushed the door to your bedroom open and walked in carrying a set of spare clothes and her own pillow.

“What did Maura want to talk with you about?” You asked her as she set them down and closed the door.

“About us, how things are going and so on.” She said to you and started to undress. “You know, very motherly stuff.”

“I wasn’t joking about the grandchildren…” You said with a playful tone.

Malevus stopped taking off her trousers for a second, but continued after a pause.

“I know…” She said.

You watched as your girlfriend undressed completely and carefully joined you in the bed under the blanket. With a wave of your hand the candles extinguished themselves, throwing the bedroom into near darkness. You felt her press against you, but you could feel her be all tense.

“What is it?” You asked her.

“This is your bed…” Malevus whispered.

“Yes and? We have cuddled here before?” You asked again.

“But that was then, this is now…” She replied. “It is different.”

2/3

>>6370098

“I don’t think it is that different” You said and continued. “We just had clothes on then, now we don’t.”

“Still…”

You wrapped your arms around her and held her. Slowly her tenseness started to disappear as you caressed her hair.

“When we have time, I am going to do my best to court you. We shall go for long rides, I will pick flowers for you, we could be in a sauna together.” You said to her.

“That is not courting, that is getting clean.” She chuckled.

“I will wash your ears.”

Malevus now laughed and hugged you back.

“You know how to talk to a girl.” She said to you.

You held her still. Right now you were the happiest person in the world as the two of you just stayed there unmoving. Slowly the sleep started to take over you. You would end up seeing some of the sweetest dreams you had in a long time.

…

Malevus snored as you got up from the bed very carefully. Putting on your clothes, you allowed her to continue sleeping as you left the bedroom.

You looked at the letters on your desk and then thought what else should you do before the officers arrive. Probably it would be worth getting a bit prepared as a lot happened in Stormwind.


Choose one:
>Open the letters and see what and from whom they are from. They could have something useful to you.
>Go eat breakfast and tell Normand the main points from Stormwind. You want his opinions before the meeting.
>Other, write in

QM: We are going to go through both so choose which one you want first.

>>6370002

It is on a list of what Alric will do in the coming days and weeks.

>>6370101
>Open the letters and see what and from whom they are from. They could have something useful to you.

>>6370101
>Open the letters and see what and from whom they are from. They could have something useful to you.
Give me the letters


When is Gravis's wedding scheduled?

Can we build Noble Manors in every province? Would the Leadership bonus stack?

>>6369965

- Did Tari...

She has said that she has couple names on her mind, but she doesn't want to say them as not to tempt the fate. First to give birth and then tell everyone what the name will be.

- Nalice is...

Nalice will continue teaching Eligius as she might not be always present. After all she has her own things going on with the artifacts and other Nalice things.

- We are...

The Stonemasons when they hear the news will be euphoric. A lot of them have their husbands in Stormwind so getting the families together is going to be something they hadn't expected to happen any time soon if at all. Unifying the families is going to win you a lot of their favour.

- When we...

Sir Cyrus is with Eligius and Bakhtet with the Dark Irons. How long will it take for Cyrus to return? I don't know. Could take weeks, could take months. I have the next Pai and Eligius segment planned out. We will see their adventure continue in this thread hopefully.

- What happened...

Shouldn't have any real effect. Garrick Blacksteel won't care what the Bronzebeards are on about as long as they don't directly take action against the Dark Irons. That is least of his worries as how his Clan is doing matters the most to him.

>>6370109

Betrothal happens first with the wedding maybe come next year. Hilde is not of age yet where her mother is alright with her moving in with Gravis.

And no the Leadership bonus doesn't stack.

>>6370101
>>Open the letters and see what and from whom they are from. They could have something useful to you.

I sure hope the Town Hall taxes will be ready this season.

Could build the Abbey since we have our own priest set to arrive. If we sell some supplies we could afford the Keep, or If one of the Blacksteels could serve as Master Smith we could make the Foundry for mastercraft arms and armor.

Town walls and gate wouldn't be bad if it would help against the ogres and kobolds?

Or a couple Windmills. I wonder if Wiklish is making good progress on his miniaturized gear.

But if the Trolls have made themselves a problem maybe some military units or mages would be nice. I guess the next batch of Dalaran magic users won't arrive till next year? I wouldn't mind getting those Veteran Stonemason Knights alongside our own veteran knights. What will the Epic upgrade of knights turn them into I wonder.

>>6370101
>>Open the letters and see what and from whom they are from. They could have something useful to you.

>>6370101
Do we want to look into knighting malevus? She pushed to that martial 4 like we had wanted her to a few threads back.

>>6370243
I wonder if we should have asked Uther to knight her after beating Arthas. He is her hero role model after all. Well we did invite him to show up at some point.

>>6370299
That would mean a lot to malevus.

Taking a seat and a sharp knife, you opened the first letter or more accurately a scroll by breaking the vax seal. Opening it, you found that it was from Garrick Blacksteel. The Dark Iron had sent a report just several days ago so the content was still fresh.

Master Blacksteel went through what they had been working on. The platforms on which the machinery will be installed are nearly finished, the expected usage of timber has been greater than expected as more logs have to have been driven into the soft ground. This had the unfortunate effect as all this work had just pushed more water above ground and with rains washing Strahnbrad Hills, there had been minor flooding which had caused delays. Goblin bucket brigades and quickly dug ditches did help them a bit, but with the ground too soft the machinery couldn’t be moved in and installed.

Delays, but nothing that couldn’t be fixed. It was expected that a project of this size will have its own issues, but with autumn slowly arriving it would be better if there was no rain for some time. But it was clear, the oil rig wouldn’t be finished before the autumn.

Taking the second letter, this time in an actual envelope, you opened it and found that it was from Raethan, the corrupt captain of the guard in Dalaran. You had hired him to keep his eyes open and to recruit potential migrants and mages to your service from Underbelly. He wrote that he had a good number of people ready to move to Dawnholme, including a couple of mages, but there were issues when it came to Dalaran. His superiors aren’t going let this happen again and so this will be the last set of migrants from Underbelly. He also described how Kirin Tor had sent their own guards into Underbelly and caused a ruckus down there, dragging several of the more unsavoury people out from there. None had returned and now those remaining are very worried that they would be next, especially when the potential migrants are going to leave soonish.

So unsurprisingly Raethan had been approached by several people, to whom he had to say no as your guidance from earlier this summer made it pretty clear. Just craftsmen and workers with a couple of more unorthodox mages would be allowed. Raethan wrote that he would have approximately eighty willing workers ready to migrate, two sorcerers, one witch and four students. But then there were the ones who had approached him and he wanted your opinion on whom to take in and to whom to say no to. Making things clear, he had listed all of them, making your decision making easier.

1/1

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>>6370366


Already agreed migrants from Underbelly:
-80 Peasants
-2 Sorcerers, 1 Witch, 4 Students

Additional migrants from Underbelly:
>20 Peasants, thugs and petty criminals
>20 Peasants, rogues and cutthroats
>10 Peasants, occultists and strange folk
>10 Peasants, goblins

Additional specialists from Underbelly:
>Witch with a shady past
>Occultist known for being a student of Kel’Thuzad
>A known Warlock with good reputation
>Fence known for dealing in illegal goods
>Master Alchemist with a past in poisons
>Escaped troll hiding from Kirin Tor authorities

Total Resources:
0 Wealth, +15 per season
4 Supplies, +3 per season
515 Peasants

QM: Additional migrants and specialists for you to choose from. Choose as many as you want. Total Resources updated to reflect the coming Stonemasons.

>>6370367
>10 Peasants, goblins
>Master Alchemist with a past in poisons
>Escaped troll hiding from Kirin Tor authorities

>>6370367

>10 Peasants, occultists and strange folk
>10 Peasants, goblins

Alric is pretty eccentric I think at least the occultist strange folk and goblins could be swung in. Make it a nice even 100 new pop.

I'm tempted with the thugs and petty criminals who could either start a new life, or be handy for spymaster rogue stuff thats vital but isn't necessarily legal. Too bad Eligius and Nalice aren't here they're the ones whose opinions could be handy.

Also did some mage or warlock keep a pet troll lol. I wonder if they're a voodoo priestess or something? Could be very handy since we have two trolls tribes to interact with soon.

I kind of want all of the specialists for various reasons. Magic is amazing too.

>Witch with a shady past
Could be added to witch gang?
>Occultist known for being a student of Kel’Thuzad
I'm curious that they didn't leave with Kel'Thuzad, maybe they had a falling out over the whole necromancy thing or something. Could be handy for predicting Kelly's movements if we want that Dalaran favor, I figure we wouldn't have to hunt him down but we could offer intel they'd appreciate, or for the magic of the human body that was Kelly's big achievement in regular magic.
>A known Warlock with good reputation
Warlock who uses his magic for good apparently? Might be a nice companion for Eligius.
>Fence known for dealing in illegal goods
Good for the Spymaster. I'd guess they have their own contacts and suppliers. Maybe handy for
>Master Alchemist with a past in poisons
We do need a master alchemist for gunpowder and the final alchemist building. Plus spymaster poison stuff. Or a poison tester. I watched Apothecary Diaries recently and enjoyed it, very fun show.
>Escaped troll hiding from Kirin Tor authorities
As above, she's listed in the specialists so I figure it's a troll priestess of their magic or some such.

>>6370367
>20 Peasants, rogues and cutthroats
>10 Peasants, occultists and strange folk
>10 Peasants, goblins

>Occultist known for being a student of Kel’Thuzad
>A known Warlock with good reputation
>Master Alchemist with a past in poisons

Fuck it let's necromax

Do we know what tribe is the escaped troll from?

>>6370367
>>10 Peasants, occultists and strange folk
>>10 Peasants, goblins

>Witch with a shady past
>Fence known for dealing in illegal goods
>Master Alchemist with a past in poisons
>Escaped troll hiding from Kirin Tor authorities

What a dude. Hes done damn well getting so many Underbelly people and specialists I must say. Dude works for like 1 wealth a season, 4 wealth a year, if I remember right. It is quite nice to have someone over there and I suppose if this is the last he can focus on rumors and such. Could he turn his eye to surface Dalaran for migrants?

Kind of funny that Dalaran doesn't have some more famous colonies and outposts considering magic and cleverness could certainly allow them to overcome more places anyone else would consider inhospitable. I read an absolutely gorgeous manga called Witch Hat Atelier and the capital city of mage society is built at the bottom of an ocean. They have pretty good reasons for it as well.

Anyway my thinking is we can grab as much as we want. Officially its inevitable that some people will slip into the caravan or even just follow it on their own terms. Then if there is trouble its for Alric, Williams, and Boyd to step in first to intervene with a talk first. Then perhaps for Eligius and Nalice if that doesn't settle things lol. Almost anyone that can be saved from getting disappeared by Dalaran is probably a plus in Nalice's book.

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>>6370367
>20 Peasants, thugs and petty criminals - pic related, time for hard labour rehab
>10 Peasants, occultists and strange folk
>10 Peasants, goblins - Wiklish gets his people

Specialists:
>Witch with a shady past
>Occultist known for being a student of Kel’Thuzad
>A known Warlock with good reputation
>Fence known for dealing in illegal goods
>Master Alchemist with a past in poisons
>Escaped troll hiding from Kirin Tor authorities
I think we can make use of all these people, and if nothing else for the troll then we link him up with the nearby tribes and make them an ambassador.

“ALL” You quickly scribbled on the letter. Only the rogues and cutthroats mentioned would be left behind, those you didn’t want. You would have to write the reply later tonight and give further guidance, how to send them here and the usual be careful.

All the specialists Raethan told you about would be useful in various ways. More variety in magic, the fence could prove very useful for Eligius, you didn’t have the Master Alchemist at hand. The warlock of course was concerning even with a good reputation, but as long as he won’t cast any magic in Dawnholme, things probably will be without much if any issues.

But the troll, an escaped troll from the dungeons of Dalaran hiding in the Underbelly. That was very interesting. Why was the troll in Dalaran in the first place? Just captured and taken in? If they had managed to escape, then getting even a modicum of safety in Dawnholme could be enough to sway it to help you. Sure you might need to keep the troll in your dungeon for appearances, but in return promise of safety and maybe helping you with the trolls in the mountains with information or maybe as a translator if they don’t speak common, could be enough to keep the troll happy.

Moving into the last letter, you opened it and found out that it was from Kris Legace in Stromgarde. As it was the oldest letter you quickly realised that it had arrived just a couple days after you left for Stormwind. You had to sigh as what Kris had told you could have been useful in Stormwind. She went through all the news about the local nobility being disgruntled, King Thoras having his issues, the economy faltering. Basically everything you learned in Stormwind.

But she did continue with an interesting bit of news, the Syndicate had been sending even more people to Stromgarde. She doesn’t know what they are planning, just that more people have been brought in.

You pinched the bridge of your nose. That piece of information could have been really helpful to you a couple weeks back. Either way, you should probably eat some breakfast as your stomach was already protesting.

You were hungry!

…

As you sat down with a bowl of porridge, fresh bread with butter and a cup of herbal tea in front of you, you were joined by Normand.

“Good morning Alric.” He greeted you.

“Morning Normand.”

Awkward silence fell over the two of you as Normand didn’t know how to continue.

“I read the letters that have come, we are going to get more migrants from Underbelly.” You told him and noticed that he was still distracted. “Father, just speak with me.”

“It feels strange…” Normand leaned forward and whispered. “You and Malevus…”

“You still bothered about that?” You felt his reaction was a bit funny.

“It was normal when she was downstairs, but now…” Normand whispered.

1/2

>>6370684

“Gu… mornng.” Malevus mumbled as she came out of your study. Her hair was a mess and her clothes just thrown on. She wasn’t a morning person at all. She walked and sat down next to Normand opposite you.

“We were just talking about you.” You said to her. “Normand was wondering if you slept well?”

“I did, I slept like a baby…” Malevus said with still her eyes closed.

You just smiled as Normand felt embarrassed.

“I will brush your hair after the breakfast, can’t have you look like that when we tell the news to the others.” You told Malevus.

“I can ask Tari…” She started to say.

“Let Tari rest, she looked so tired yesterday.” You replied.

“You are right…” Malevus muttered as Maura brought her similar breakfast to yours. “Thank you Maura…”

Her being sleepy made her so cute and you had slept really well too. Tomorrow morning though you would be dragging her with you to some sparring.

“The officers will be here in a couple of hours.” Normand switched topics.

“Good, because I have plenty to tell you.”

“Lieutenant Gravis already hinted to me that it was a quite eventful trip. He didn’t want to tell me anything, told me to wait till today.” Normand told you. “What exactly happened there if he was so cagey about it?”

Malevus opened her eyes and looked at Normand before starting to eat her porridge.

“A lot…” She mumbled.

“Alric… how much is a lot?” Normand asked.


>Tell him everything, don’t leave any details worth telling out.
>Concentrate on the big political picture. Varian forced to join a Regency Council, The Edict lifted in one year’s time, the changes to the Internment Camps.
>Go through the stuff that affects us in the near future. The Internment Camps, fall of Katrana’s status and Nalice.
>Normand can wait a bit, just continue talking about minor things like Malevus as Normand seemed rather interested in all that.
>Other, write in

>>6370685
>>Tell him everything, don’t leave any details worth telling out.

>>6370685
>Tell him everything, don’t leave any details worth telling out.

>>6370685
>Tell him everything, don’t leave any details worth telling out
"Well. Its the kind of a lot, that it will go in the history books. This will take a while Father."

“Malevus you awake?” You asked your girlfriend.

“I am, I… I’m just not a morning person, you know that.” She lamented.

“Well good, because you are going to add a lot to what I am going to tell now.” You said to her and looked at Normand. “Well. It's the kind of a lot that it will go in the history books. This will take a while Father.”

Normand looked at you for a second and then nodded.

“Surely it wasn’t that bad.” He said.

You started to laugh and even Malevus joined in the chuckle. Oh it was bad.

…

“Oh by the Holy Light…” Normand cursed.

He had been repeating that several times as you had gone through everything.

“And now we are here.” You finished.

Malevus had done her part telling what happened to you while you were in jail and her going through her events again had been a bit of a doozy even for you. You had felt your heartrate rise as she described the thugs Varian had hired who had tried to apprehend her. Her description of Arthas and Jaina was just an icing to the cake.

“You weren’t in any danger?” Normand asked.

“No, I was not. I could have escaped any time I wanted. But I was more worried about the others so I didn’t do it.” You told him.

“And got us to go through all that.” Malevus lamented.

“I couldn’t have done the first move, unless Varian had done something to you or Jaina.” You said back to her. “I wouldn’t have moved without that.”

“If something had…” Malevus asked you carefully and you decided to speak the truth.

“I don’t believe Varian would be alive right now.” You said to her.

“Oh by the Holy Light…” Normand cursed again. “What the hell happened in Stormwind!”

“What are you talking about?” Tari asked as she left her room and started to slowly make her way down the stairs.

“Just what happened in Stormwind.” You casually replied to her. “How are you feeling?”

Tari was wearing a white chemise that was doing absolutely nothing to hide her pregnancy, her usual blue long sleeved shirt was on, but no way with the stomach on the way it could be closed.

“I am praying for the day I give birth.” Tari said and shook her head.

“Then just rest, you don’t have to be part of the meeting.” You said to her.

“I have done your paperwork while you were away, I know the numbers.” Tari said and took a seat.

“Alright, then you can be part of it.”

“But really, Varian?” Normand asked and still couldn’t believe what he had heard.

“His mind wasn’t there, the loss and then seeing shadows where they weren’t.” You explained to him.

“What you had told me was a lot, I don’t know what to say.” Your father said to you.

“Well, don’t be worried, the officers will agree with you. It is hard to believe everything I have told you, but it all happened.” You said to him.

1/2

>>6370754

You had left things like you and Nalice and you thought that Malevus hadn’t told everything related to the dress making and her interactions with Nalice and Katrana to him. Which probably was for the best. Those details weren’t relevant here at all.

Normand didn’t know what to say here. You had flooded him with the information and he was just scratching his beard while glancing at you and Malevus. Stormwind had been a quite doozy of an adventure for those who weren’t there.

…

One by one your officers had started to arrive. First Captain Cromwell followed by Lieutenant Beckston. Lieutenant Radan had made a full recovery and he was followed by Gravis, Rover Brothers and all three of your mages.

Malevus took a seat at the head of the table next to you after you ordered her to sit there while the rest of them gathered around the table.

“It has been a while.” You said to them after they had sat down.

“It has Prince Alric.” Cromwell replied. “Lieutenant Gravis was all silent when asked what had happened in Stormwind.”

“Plenty has happened, I told Normand what had happened and he could just repeat oh by the Holy Light.” You replied and got your officers to give glances amongst themselves. “Oh it wasn’t all that bad.”

“It was.” Normand replied.

“Oh Father, it wasn’t that bad.” You waved his concerns away and looked at your officers. “So shall we begin?”


>Start with Malevus and you, and the betting ring. You aren’t exactly happy about it so better put a stop to it.
>Tell them everything, it should floor them just like it did Normand.
>Concentrate on the big political picture. Varian forced to join a Regency Council, The Edict lifted in one year’s time, the changes to the Internment Camps.
>Go through the stuff that affects us in the near future. The Internment Camps, fall of Katrana’s status and Nalice.
>Other, write in.

>>6370755
>>Tell them everything, it should floor them just like it did Normand.

>>6370685
>Tell them everything, it should floor them just like it did Normand.
Well after saying all that to them it seems natural to go ahead with this.

>>6370755
>>Tell them everything, it should floor them just like it did Normand.

>>6370755
>Start with Malevus and you, and the betting ring. You aren’t exactly happy about it so better put a stop to it.
>Tell them everything, it should floor them just like it did Normand.

The winner of the betting ring is Alric, because he won Malevus

>>6370755
>Start with Malevus and you, and the betting ring. You aren’t exactly happy about it so better put a stop to it.
>Concentrate on the big political picture. Varian forced to join a Regency Council, The Edict lifted in one year’s time, the changes to the Internment Camps.

>>6370755
>>Tell them everything, it should floor them just like it did Normand.

I wonder who is making the most money off of this betting ring? Probably Boyd as the biggest gambler and hes very observant. Maybe Martin if she needed some cash.

Would the Troll need to be in the dungeon? Is a troll ""bodyguard"" hired by goblins believable and acceptable. Would they be more welcome in the Dark Iron camp. If they were a priestess or a shaman would the Witches be interested in her connection to nature spirits, plenty of cabins and glades.

No update today, I have no energy to do any creative writing. I will try to get the update out tomorrow at some point.

>>6371105

Trolls are still generally seen as a threat who just very recently threw their lot in with the Horde. Goblins at least have the defence that not all of their cartels fought with the Horde, trolls don't have that.

>>6371227
Yeah thats a toughie. It wouldn't help much even if it was a tribe that left the Horde before the war ended. I suppose theoretically a tribe that was so isolated it never joined could exist, but it would be difficult to convince others.

The war ended a good number of years ago now if it was a war prisoner. Or a more recent captive on some kind of expedition. Unless its like a Thrall situation where some mage picked up a troll child whose gotten old enough to run away from home lol.

Could a half troll pass with some precautions and careful manicuring of any tusks lol. Some makeup, a wig, and clothes and gait that can obscure the slightly longer limbs.

There was a chorus of nods across the table and everyone leaned in a bit to listen.

“But first we have something to tell you lot.” You started to tell them. “I have heard that there’s this betting ring going on, about me and Malevus.”

Silence fell upon the room and careful glances were shared.

“Now I do not care how you have done the bets, what were your guesses. That I am not interested in.” You told them and continued. “So who handles the coin? Williams?”

The mute mage with his bald scarred head nodded. Unsurprisingly the gambler was the one who kept the count.

“Everyone pay him.” You told them.

You watched as everyone around the table started to fish out some coin as Williams took out his notes and started to collect the coppers. Only Tari hadn’t done any betting as she just looked at this and was rather amused.

“Tari, you didn’t bet? It would have been easy money.” You asked her.

“It didn’t feel right if I had done so.” She said and shrugged.

“Right choice.” You replied.

Soon Williams had the coin in front of him and as he started to count them, you stopped him.

“Put the coins in the bag.” You ordered him and he scooped the coins and did as told. “Now give that bag to me.”

Williams paused for a second before throwing the bag to you. You caught it easily and handed it to Malevus.

“You can use this to buy something nice.” You told her.

Malevus was struggling to not laugh as she just nodded and smiled. You took her hand and looked at your officers.

“Let this be the lesson, I do not like if people make bets about me or whom I am courting.” You told them. “You understand that?”

“Understood.” Cromwell replied immediately. “And congratulations.”

“Thank you, now back to the business.” You replied and let go of her hand. That should be enough to get the news out. “So in Stormwind City, it is better that we start from the beginning.”

…

Maura had brought everyone more tea to drink at one point when you had gone through the details. Malevus had explained some things when necessary and as the events progressed, the new cups of tea were definitely needed. As Normand was already told everything once, you skipped some details and allowed some things to be explained better, especially as most of the people in the room were military men.

But as the talk went into the Stonemason’s, the Master Mason Erefor Pelija who had stayed silent till now perked up. He listened carefully when you went through your talk with Master Mason Edwin VanCleef and when you reached the point of convincing him to take his men and come to Dawnholme, Pelija just leaned back and took a deep breath.

1/2

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>>6371792

“Good news?” You asked him.

“Prince Alric, I couldn’t have imagined a better morning.” Pelija replied to you.

“They will be here in a few months, so you better have everything ready by then.” You told him.

“The work is not finished, but we will have the things ready for them.” He replied proudly.

“That is very good to hear, I trust that you can accomplish that.” You replied and smiled.

Stonemasons in Alterac would be a tremendous boon to you. Not just because they are really skilled craftsmen and builders. But because there’s plenty of skilled fighters and warriors in their midst. Hundreds of potential soldiers for you to hire and to bolster your forces. In long run this would be something that could decide where Alterac stands in the future.

…

“That is a lot.” Beckston said and shook his head. “Varian and Arthas? Fuck me.”

“I know it is hard to believe, but when things fell apart, they really did fall apart.” You replied to him.

“I don’t like that, too many moving parts.” Cromwell said.

“When have things been easy for us?” You asked.

“That is true.” Was Cromwell’s reply.

Radan raised his hand carefully. The rat looking man was still careful when asking questions from you.

“Radan, you don’t have to raise your hand.” You said.

“Prince Alric, what do you think will affect us the most? What should we be prepared for?” He asked you.

That was a good question, what would you rank as the most affecting? Several things did come to your mind and you scratched your chin.


>The lifting of the Edict is easily the thing that impacts you the most, but that is going to happen in one year so you have the time to get ready.
>The Internment Camps requiring your men, or the mercenaries, is going to be a short term point of interest with the orcs on the move.
>The economic benefits of the Oil Rig trump over everything, hence trolls that could threaten it is a worrying issue.
>Syndicate is and will be a thorn in your backside. They might not seem much, but as long as they are ready to send assassins, they are an immense obstacle to you.
>Other, write in

>>6371794
>Syndicate is and will be a thorn in your backside. They might not seem much, but as long as they are ready to send assassins, they are an immense obstacle to you.
Everything we do is obstructed by them, or the Alliance. And now the Alliance should be more of a partner.. probably.

>>6371794
So preparations for whats to come. Lets say training to fight ogres and kobolds for the Edict if we pick it, or that they will then have to protect peasants while they build and hold ground. Logistics and so on.

When we left for Stormwind didn't we leave someone in charge of training them against orcs using whoever had recent experience?

>>6371805

The footmen who guarded the Internment Camps for some time have been teaching what they learned to the others. That is mostly how to capture them, move them around and so on. Your soldiers that either fought with the Horde or against it have also been teaching what they know, but of course their numbers are rather few. But with the help of the generally high veterancy amongst your troops, they are slowly learning and getting used to the idea of fighting against them.

>>6371794
>>Syndicate is and will be a thorn in your backside. They might not seem much, but as long as they are ready to send assassins, they are an immense obstacle to you.

>>6371794
>>Syndicate is and will be a thorn in your backside. They might not seem much, but as long as they are ready to send assassins, they are an immense obstacle to you.

“As much as the Edict being lifted is a piece of great news or the Oil Rig a gigantic economic boon for us, those or the Internment Camps looming over us, none of them pose an immediate danger to me.” You told them and your tone was rather serious. “The Syndicate is and will be a thorn in my backside, they might not seem like much, but as long as they are ready to send assassins, we can’t rule them out.”

“Are you afraid that they might try something?” Normand asked. “But you told us about the truce?”

“Truce only holding back the hand of my brother?” You said back to him. “King Terenas might be a fool to trust him, especially if he can’t keep the rest of the Syndicate in line.”

You hadn’t told Normand yet that it was actually Beve whose idea was the truce, that would have to wait till later today.

“I would be foolish to think that nothing will happen.” You continued. Eligius and Pai were out there trying to rescue your little sister and to kill Creedy for Pai. That is an action that will require a reaction.

“We have to keep our eyes open then.” Cromwell said.

“Yes, we might have to recruit more City Guards with all the newcomers here, but we should be fine.” You told them.

With Eligius away it would fall on the few spies he and Nalice had trained to do the most of counter-Syndicate work here in Dawnholme. At least Nalice was returning shortly which should help you a lot and she would bring some of her people with her.

“So the Syndicate… I don’t like the idea of fighting against other humans that much. “Beckston said. “Especially the ones who like all the cloak and dagger bullshit, no offense Master Pelija.”

“None taken.” The Stonemason replied.

“It is what it is.” You shrugged. “But right now we have one year to get our things sorted out, so watch for the threats within and the threats out there somewhere.”

“A lot of work in our hands then.” Cromwell said. “We will have the tally of our men ready soon, while you were away most of the men that would recover have already done so. Just a few more weeks and we should have the final number of our losses.”

“Thank you.” You said. The Durnholde Campaign had been rather bloody and you had taken nearly fifty percent casualties across your men. Thankfully Madam Martin and Malevus had managed to prevent unnecessary deaths, but not all men would recover. “So shall we continue?”

1/2

>>6372008

The discussion continued till it was already past noon. Nothing major was decided, just for the most part getting everyone on the same page.

The Stonemasons would continue their work on Dawnholme and with the news of rest of their people arriving, they would make sure that they would have roofs over their heads. Your officers meanwhile would finish their work on getting the Army of Alterac back up to a fighting shape with drills and patrols. On that front things had gotten back to mostly normal, but with the casualties being that heavy, your patrols hadn’t ventured that far.

At least thankfully none of the patrols had found anything, nor had the combined Tarren Mill, Stonedon and Barovs patrols that had taken care of looking for Strahnbrad Hills. No signs of anyone trespassing into your lands was a piece of good news.

After a brief lunch with Normand, Malevus and Tari, you stretched your back and thought what to do next? Because boy were there things for you to do.


>Go see Dawnholme with Malevus, your people deserve to see your face after a bit over a month and at this point the word of the news has probably already spread.
>The Stonemasons have mostly finished the work on your homestead. The cellar was ready and the extension was being finished right now. Go take a look at their work.
>You need to send letters to many people. Blackmoore needs to learn the news of what has happened and then just the usual thank yous to your friends who helped you so much.
>Delegate the work to the others and stretch your mind. You already sparred with Malevus, so only practicing your magic after a way too long of a time remains.
>Other, write in.

QM: We will go through bunch of these smaller events before we get to the end of Summer and the start of August.

>>6372009
>Go see Dawnholme with Malevus, your people deserve to see your face after a bit over a month and at this point the word of the news has probably already spread.

There is also Hampton; and maybe considering to drop that proposal to Radan. Everything was going well here, so i don't think we have much to say with Ragis. Could visit Tarren Mill maybe for our friends there.

>>6372009
>Go see Dawnholme with Malevus, your people deserve to see your face after a bit over a month and at this point the word of the news has probably already spread.

>>6372009
>>Go see Dawnholme with Malevus, your people deserve to see your face after a bit over a month and at this point the word of the news has probably already spread.

>>6371804
It will always be a question of patrolling. Spotting infiltrators, assassins, and saboteurs. Occasionally of armies and warlocks. The biggest boon, besides Nalice and her agents, I think would be asking the Stonemasons especially VanCleef and his men about their experiences. The shoe is on the other foot now lol. I suppose the first tier of stone walls and gate would at least help funnel traffic.

We've seen how effective syndicate assassins can be. Magical tools, poisons, smoke bombs etc. People skilled in stealth, but also in talking with people to get what they want. They got into the RD just by getting themselves hired lol and we can't exactly do anything directly about that. Taking the place of a reclusive Durnholde knight they had killed. There are so many ways to try bending people from the noble to the humble citizen. I'm not sure theres a whole lot our soldiers and officers can do on these fronts.

I suppose if we had more mages with good sense for finding magic tools in wagon checks. Its not quite a wc3 tower with magic sentry but what can you do...Oh right

>Gained: Gnoll Anti-magic trinket ward plans.
'The practical uses were obvious, to protect important locations or people from magic. Your home, Nalice's home. Maybe the barracks too. Or used to nullify magic used elsewhere, like the illusion landmines or the Fel pool. It wouldn't hurt if Boyd and Williams prodded it and looked if they could get something out of it.'

They were going to work on these plans that would be good to check up on.

>>6372009
>Go see Dawnholme with Malevus, your people deserve to see your face after a bit over a month and at this point the word of the news has probably already spread.

Give me the classic!


>1d10
>Best of three, taking the second roll

Rolled 10 (1d10)

>>6372167

>>6372167

Rolled 3 (1d10)

>>6372167

>10
>3


Rolls are Dawnholme mood which is splendid and a small random event that you will see tomorrow. Because no second update today. I have been watching the Olympics and boy did the Canada vs Switzerland in women's hockey push me into a foul mood. It is so stupid how big of a skill gap there is between North American teams and the rest. Now I am in a no writing mood.

So I could ask now that we are back in Dawnholme, what should be done? Are there any tasks for Alric you want to see? The season update stuff will come as will the magic training, but anything else?

>>6372241
Oof.

Getting Melon to look at the Elf Armor intended for Malevus as her Knighting gift when Uther gets here. Maybe Melon would like to come out and see Uther when he gets here...Then we steal Melon from Dalaran.

Darrowmere League Diplomacy. Its not public for a year but the Edict is lifted. Joining the Alliance after a year probationary period. The Internment Camp changes and orcs on the move. 100 more mercs under our influence, and about 200 Stonemason mercs sitting in Dawnholme who have gotten basically pardoned. We've basically doubled the amount of troops in our sphere of influence including friends and allies. Though I don't see Durnholde Hills and Lady Imswit's green knights in the pastebin, and the Darkshire trade goodies.

Lordaeron accepted that we have Durnholde Hills. Ideally Blackmoore and Durnholde were to enter the League to make it quite a bit stronger and tempting to join up. Hard to say with the results of the meeting.


Message Jandice to ask if being able to toll the Darrowmere river trade would be enough to win her family's support. It would be extremely inconvenient for Alric to try to toll the river even though he would control considerable portions of its upper length. If Alric tries to run a toll on the Darrowmere he'd probably get into a trade war with Southshore where they start increasing tolls on each other lol. But if the Barov's are the ones doing it? They already have their hand in Southshore's governing merchant council. I think its a Win-Win. Ofc we also ensure they aren't tolling us or anyone else in the League if possible.

Sit down and work out how long the former syndicate prisoners have to work the labor camps before they can have their own probationary period to become citizens. Although perhaps that should be done when we have Eligius on hand. What if they have family somewhere we can send for, that could really up our peasant numbers and they'd be less likely to freak out over time.

Check up on Wiklish and see how his miniaturized gear research is going. The gnoll ward research. Did the spies pick anything up while we were gone. Monica's inn.

>>6372241
I'd like to see an alchemist hut, foundry and gunsmith made when possible but costs money which is in short supply.

Immediate
>town hall business, select a mayor and ministry
>regional diplomacy, unfortunate that we haven't built bridges with Southshore after the poisoning or much else
>general civilisation development, whatever can generate wealth fast
>permission to make river-boats, so Shoredon can develop a port and ship-building
>magic training, lean how to fling fireballs from hands or sword
>more trade with Blacksteel

“Shall we go and see the town?” You asked Malevus.

“Us? Alright.” She said and seemed unsure.

“What’s wrong with the idea?”

“What if they just… I don’t know…” She replied.

“Don’t worry about them, they will accept you without any issues.” You said to her and took her hand. “This will be fun, don’t worry about it.”

“Alright if you say so…” She replied again.

Malevus was nervous which was unsurprising. It had been a couple hours since the meeting with your officers and by now the word must have spread about everything. Be it the Edict, the Stonemasons or you courting Malevus. Though at this point most of your military already must have suspected that, but the common folk? To the peasants it might be a bit of a surprise.

…


The Stonemasons had practically dropped their tools and stopped working when Pelija had told them the news of VanCleef and the rest coming to Alterac. When you had stepped out of your homestead past the two Royal Foot Guards standing guard, you and Malevus both saw the festive mood starting to gather in the town.

“We might have an improvised feast in our hands.” You told Malevus and looked at her.

“They do seem quite happy.” She replied.

Malevus was wearing her usual normal clothes and not the new black ones from Stormwind City. That was probably for the best, otherwise there could have been too many nosebleed patients. You wore your normal clothes as well, no need to dress fancy.

Walking past the stables, Sir Gravis greeted you and joined you with Sir Thomas, they would be your escort today. As the sun shined and the weather was really good, you observed the surroundings. While you had been away the Stonemasons had continued their work. The older loghouses had been thoroughly upgraded, second and third floors had been added. Between them newer houses made in style now familiar to you from Stormwind City had been built. These narrow houses with three or even four floors, steep roofs and painted walls had been well decorated by the carpenters who had clearly consulted the local Alteracis. It was strange to see a mix of what you had seen in Stormwind and what you remembered from Alterac City.

1/3

>>6372472

The sewer dug underneath the main street had been nearly finished as well. The road through Dawnholme was still slowly being covered in cobblestone and the smaller sewers that collected water and dung were work in progress, but at least there wasn’t a gigantic ditch in the middle of the town anymore. The main street and the connected smaller streets made these smaller town blocks, with the houses facing the streets and the backyards being walled and connected together. Central wells, latrines and places for market stalls had all been planned. In a couple of locations, ground had been reserved for future buildings for ease of access to them, right now being used as storages for all the building materials. And in a couple other locations, the work was progressing in turning them into small parks for people to enjoy. You would later learn that the grown trees already planted had been very carefully dug out elsewhere and moved to these parks with the help of Madam Martin. But before that happened, you had to blink several times behind your dark glasses as you could swear those trees hadn’t been there before.

In the center of the town was the building you had been waiting for the most. The Town Hall was still covered in scaffoldings, but all the walls and the roof were already up. Even the compulsory to Town Halls clock tower had been finished, but the clock itself hadn’t been installed yet. The whole building would be finished before the autumn would arrive, you were sure of that and then you could finally delegate most of the paperwork and duties to clerks and other paperpushers.

And maybe most importantly, start more efficiently collecting taxes.

While you had been away campaigning or in Stormwind, it really felt like Dawnholme had grown considerably. The progress seen had been astonishing and with very good planning and well-thought growth, Dawnholme was turning into a very orderly small town. A place you would very happily call your home.

…

>10
>3


When you first stepped into Dawnholme holding the hand of Malevus, the locals that were discussing the news or watching as the Stonemasons were preparing their celebratory feast, turned to greet you. You could see a mix of proudness and a surprise in their eyes. They were proud because of the work you had done and accomplished in Stormwind, but also they were surprised to see you holding her hand.

2/3

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>>6372473


The men bowed and the ladies did deep curtsies as you nodded back to them. Short praises were said as the common folk made way to you and Malevus. You could hear some whispering, but quickly the surprise faded away and smiles replaced the surprised looks.

“They are such a cute couple.”

“Prince Alric and his squire? Doesn’t surprise me at all.”

“Lady Malevus a cute!”

If the Alteracis were a bit more reserved, the Stonemasons weren’t. The moment you reached them, the burly workers surrounded you and Malevus, clapping both of you on your backs and shouting their praises. To them the news of VanCleef coming to Dawnholme was the best news they had ever heard. Even if this meant that they wouldn’t get paid for the work they had done for Stormwind would be forfeited, this was an opportunity to start again and they would take it.

You spoke with them as they showed all the work they had done and the image you got from them was simple, you had won their loyalty.

…

“See it wasn’t that bad.” You said to Malevus as you sat down on your porch.

“I felt terrified for a moment…” Malevus replied. “But you are right, I think they might accept me.”

“You really were afraid that they would say no to you? You know that is pish posh, they know how loyal you are to me, they know the work you have done to help with the wounded. How many soldiers did you manage to save? Or how many times have you prayed with the locals?” You said to her.

“You are right, this is just new to me.” Malevus lamented. “Boyfriend and all.”

“And that boyfriend happens to be a Prince.” You continued.

“Yeah…”

Malevus leaned against your shoulder as the afternoon started to turn towards the evening. You gave her a kiss and enjoyed the moment. Today has been a good day and tomorrow should be as well. After a moment she stood up.

“I need to go see the men who are still wounded.” Malevus said.

“You go do that, don’t let me stop you.”

She smiled before leaving to tend the wounded. You meanwhile stretched your back and stood up as well, there would be things for you to do while she was away.


Choose one:
>Explore the cellar of your homestead and see how the secret escape tunnel down to the prison and dungeons goes. You want to see what Lady Nalice has planned for it now that it is finished.
>Jaina gave you plenty of tips and now would be the time to test them out. While in jail you had meditated a lot, but to actually put the effort into real practice? You could do that now.
>The letters to Blackmoore and the others should be written and sent. It is important to keep contact with your allies and neighbours, especially with Blackmoore. He needs to know the news.

QM: Choose one now, rest of them will be tackled in the coming days and weeks. Going to pace them a bit. And thank you for those task reminders, good stuff there.

>>6372474
>Explore the cellar of your homestead and see how the secret escape tunnel down to the prison and dungeons goes. You want to see what Lady Nalice has planned for it now that it is finished.

Poking around the cellar and the tunnel(s?) shouldn't take too long.

>>6372474
>Jaina gave you plenty of tips and now would be the time to test them out. While in jail you had meditated a lot, but to actually put the effort into real practice? You could do that now.

>>6372474
>The letters to Blackmoore and the others should be written and sent. It is important to keep contact with your allies and neighbours, especially with Blackmoore. He needs to know the news.
Best not to leave our main guy hanging

>>6372474
>>The letters to Blackmoore and the others should be written and sent. It is important to keep contact with your allies and neighbours, especially with Blackmoore. He needs to know the news.

>>6372474
>The letters to Blackmoore and the others should be written and sent. It is important to keep contact with your allies and neighbours, especially with Blackmoore. He needs to know the news.

Letters, give me some rolls for events unrelated.


>1d10
>Best of three, taking the second roll

Rolled 4 (1d10)

>>6372588

Rolled 8 (1d10)

>>6372588

Rolled 5 (1d10)

>>6372588

>>6372297

Wiklish for Mayor!

Those letters don’t write themselves, better get to work.

Greeting Tari who was downstairs looking at some papers with Normand, you found out that they were about the budget and the coin. While you had been away and Tari had gotten real bored staying cooped in at the homestead, she had bugged Normand a day or two before he had brought all the scrolls and ledgers for her to see. Not just the ones from recently while she had been in Dawnholme, but the ones going back to the start of all of this.

“You didn’t really have much back then, did you?” Tari asked.

“Not really no. Me, Normand, Cromwell, old Bill Rover and twenty men.” You said to him and shrugged. “Now I have a couple more.”

“That really is an understatement.” Tari laughed.

“You need help?” You asked.

“No need, I have Normand here.” She chuckled.

“Alright, I’ll be spending some time with a bunch of letters then.” You replied.

Beric had told you that Tari had an incredible head for numbers and it did show. How someone like Blackmoore had been wasting her like that, pure criminality. Now she was here though, happy and smiling. You liked that.

…

Those letters really didn’t write themselves as you stretched your back and yawned. You had forgotten how uncomfortable the chair you have behind your desk really is, as you got reminded by the awful plank you had as a bed in the jail.

First you wrote a letter to Captain Raethan, instructing him on who to send to Dawnholme. You made a huge point on safety and doing things by the numbers, you didn't want Dalaran come knocking and asking to want their sewer folk back. They needed to make sure that no incidents would happen along the way either.

Next you wrote a quick reply to Kris Legace, wishing her good health and that nothing bad would come from her new loud neighbours. This letter didn't make much sense to anyone, but it wasn't sent by you or from Dawnholme. It was better to avoid connecting you with her through the letters.

Jaina would have a long letter waiting for her in Dalaran from you, thanking her for everything she had done for you. Kael’thas received similar, but in Thalassian. You apologised about your poor grammar of course, at least you hoped he would feel amused by the effort. Letter to Muradin and Magni, to Daelin Proudmoore and King Terenas. You wrote to everyone you had met in Stormwind that hadn't tried to throw you into jail. They were just basic courtesies, but courtesy goes a long way.

1/2

>>6372739

Finally you wrote a letter to Blackmoore, but at this point you were already rather tired so you kept it short and gave him just the details he needed. Blackmoore's position is guaranteed, but some of the Camps in Stromgarde would be closed. To help with the defence you would be sending hundred men and in return to all of this, he would keep his promise and join the Darrowmere League.

“You look tired.” Malevus said when she stepped into the study.

“I am, but I got all the letters ready.” You replied and massaged your brow.

“Go take a bath, you can brush my hair after I have finished with mine.” She said and gently caressed your hair.

How could you say no to that?

…

>8
>8


Malevus was panting and you could see the sweat on her skin.

You had slept like a log hugging and cuddling with her, so when you woke up early, you had dragged her sleepy form out to spar.

The morning sun gently washed over you as wooden training swords impacted again and again, until you called a short break. She could hang with you, but this really was rather tiring stuff.

Though there was a rider that had come from the east. He had ridden immediately to the barracks and went inside. You had to wonder about this for a while, until you got an answer on what had happened.

“Prince Alric, Lady Malevus.” Cromwell greeted the two of you when he stepped out of the barracks with a scroll in his hands and walked to you.

“Captain, what has happened?”

“Trolls, our patrol had seen trolls for the first time.” He told you and handed you the scroll. “Our orders are to stay back and send a messenger immediately.”

“Good thinking.”

Reading the scroll the situation wasn't that bad. Last night your patrol had seen a trio of trolls on the troll side of the northern border. Both sides had immediately withdrawn and no tracks or anything had been seen nearby. When they had reached Stonedon, they immediately sent the rider.

“Well done.” You replied and passed the scroll back to him.

“What are your orders?” He asked.

That was a good question. What were your orders?


>Bolster your patrols near where the trolls had been seen temporarily. If the troll scouts are on the move, they should notice this.
>Order more reinforcement from Dawnholme to Stonedon, you are not going to get surprised by some trolls.
>This sounds like a great excuse to go see the situation there personally. Plan a quick visit to Strahnbrad Hills and back.
>Other, write

QM: Rolls were the threat level of the surprise and what it was?

>>6372742
Is it really troll scouts, or are they making their presence known as a way to initiate talks?

>This sounds like a great excuse to go see the situation there personally. Plan a quick visit to Strahnbrad Hills and back.

>Other, write
Why wait for our Troll to arrive when we can go pick them up ourselves? Bring a carriage, bring the elven armor for Melon, get to deliver our letter to our boys personally, we leave with the Troll. Then we see whats really going on with these trolls and what tribe they are.

>>6372742
Continue the alcohol offering where they were last seen, while also:
>Bolster your patrols near where the trolls had been seen temporarily. If the troll scouts are on the move, they should notice this.

Peacemaking and deterrent

>>6372789
+1

>>6372742
>>Bolster your patrols near where the trolls had been seen temporarily. If the troll scouts are on the move, they should notice this.

>>6372742
>>Bolster your patrols near where the trolls had been seen temporarily. If the troll scouts are on the move, they should notice this

“Have our men in Strahnbrad Hills to patrol that area a bit more and with a few more men, if needed ask Chief Ragis to lend some of his soldiers for this task.” You said to Cromwell. “I feel like they are just scouts who happened to spot our men a bit too late, or we were just lucky to spot them.”

“Understood, I will have the messenger to return immediately.” Cromwell replied to you and nodded.

Your Captain Austyn Cromwell was your most reliable and experienced soldier. A veteran of the Second War, he had stayed loyal to Normand and the idea of free and independent Alterac and so he was one of the few people that heard Normand’s invitation to come to join you, even without knowing any details of what it would involve. He was a soldier through and through, strong jaw, strong arms and in combat carries a heavy two-handed battleaxe.

“When was the last time we delivered some alcohol to them?” You asked him and continued. “I don’t like to think them as a tribute and more like a show of friendly intentions.”

“I will see what we can do.” Cromwell replied.

“Thank you Captain.”

He left to handle the issue, leaving you to stand in the training yard with Malevus who was leaning against her wooden training longsword.

“I think that’s enough for today, we both have things to do.” You said to her. “But maybe we could go do some riding in the afternoon? Around the countryside?”

“That doesn’t sound bad.” She replied. “I will ask Maura to pack us something light to eat.”

“Not a bad idea!” You said to her and smiled.

…

It has been two days since the trolls had been sighted and since then nothing had happened. The bolstered patrols hadn’t seen anything new, no tracks or new totems built. The alcohol had been delivered to the same place as before, but it would probably take some time before it gets retrieved.

You meanwhile had settled into the daily rhythm of sparring with Malevus in the morning, doing some actual work till afternoon and then doing things together with Malevus or helping Tari with whatever she was doing. In the evening you continued your language lessons and had your first music practice with Malevus in several weeks.

But now you stood in the cellar of Lady Nalice’s home and looked around.

“Right then.” You said to yourself.

You had seen Eligius and Nalice do this many times as you walked to the half-faded wards drawn on the walls. They were supposed to keep any magic use hidden and not leak it outside. Pressing your hand against a ward, you concentrated on the mana within you, feeling it spread through your body into your arm and hand, before channeling it into the ward. The faded ward slowly started to glow again and you called the job a good one. Now just to repeat it a couple more times.

1/2

>>6372979

Having gone through some of the notes left by Nalice and what you had made, you prepared yourself by staring at the fireplace and snapping your fingers once. A small fire instantly happened and spread across the firewood. That was a solid warmup and you could feel the slight tingling on the tips of your fingers as the fire within you was now scorching and filling you with warmth.

Jaina had given you plenty of tips and guidance which had gotten you to think how you could push your magic forward, especially your fire magic. Right now you could create fire and weave it around, or set something you concentrate on hard enough on fire, but what next? Several ideas were in your mind that could be potential next steps to take, but you had difficulties choosing just which one? The progress of course would never be easy and would take time, but at least you would have a goal to work towards. After cutting out several more outlandish ideas, you had remaining four in mind.

Now just to make the decision which one to concentrate on.


Study and progress on:
>Fireball, to learn how to throw fire that hits and engulfs the target.
>Fire Bolt, to create a bolt of fire that flies fast and strikes hard, destroying the target through pure power and not just by setting it on fire.
>Fire Blast, to weave fire together and blast it out from your hand, setting things on fire close to you.
>Incendiary Fire, to push your existing fire to burn even more brightly and with force that can set things that don’t normally burn on fire.

QM: Remember that Alric’s fire is rather liquidy. The four options are basically following. Multipurpose spell, strong single target armour defeating, wide crowdcontrol and magic napalm.

>>6372980
I think we know Flamestrike from when we set the Shoredon on fire and made the massive inferno?
Then also scorch and ignite (clicking)

Fireball seems like a good start and foundation to launching magic.

>>6372742
I want to plan something for the ogres for when we eventually retake Gallow's Crossing and the ogres will want to take it back.

Say we've taken Gallows Crossing, the palisade position. The road continues in to the north, and theres a narrow mountainous passage to the southwest. How possible would it be to launch a volley of wiklish rockets at the nearby mountains to cause an avalanche to close the passages, or even bury an approaching force of ogre if we caught wind of them. We Mulan them lol.

Buys time to fortify Gallows Crossing, maybe a nice dunk on the ogres, and allows us to pivot and focus on Syndicate held Strahnbrad until the passes are cleared by sun or by labor. I don't imagine anyone would really want to try pushing deep into Alterac while a Syndicate knife was hovering behind us, but then again if Beve had control of Strahnbrad it could be different.

>>6372980
A mental/social magic option isn't available eh, a conceptual fire to burn away their fears and anxiety.

Well the important thing is rather to be able to put any of these spells through the Cinder Sword so theres at least something we can point to. Boyd can fireball all day and we can pump that if hes with us.

I guess I lean towards Incendiary, because it could burn an elemental if the trolls had shamans or nature voodoo etc. Maybe Firebolt could also hurt it through pure power.

>>6372982
checking the archives, I think we made a bonfire massive with Jandice around Tarren Mill, maybe not Shoredon? Can't find the exact reference but I assumed it was a flamestrike

>>6372982
I guess my second point would be, which of these spells would help Alric defeat Falconcrest? The Anti-magic trinkets are pretty tricky, but perhaps environmental attacks would be the way to go. What if Alric had Fire Bolted the stone walls behind or above Falconcrest causing shrapnel to burst forth. Or we set the stone floor on fire which won't hurt us but denies him ground to maneuver.

Is Firebolt fast enough to knock the teleport trinket out of his hand lol. Although if it actually hits maybe he wouldnt even have a hand anymore.

That said if we can swing the Cindersword and launch a fireball or a fireslash its never a bad idea to have a true ranged option.

>>6372980
>Incendiary Fire, to push your existing fire to burn even more brightly and with force that can set things that don’t normally burn on fire.
magic napalm seems the most natural given our fire is more liquidy, I guess

also NAPALM ALL GNOLLS

>>6372980
>Incendiary Fire, to push your existing fire to burn even more brightly and with force that can set things that don’t normally burn on fire.

>>6372980
>>Incendiary Fire, to push your existing fire to burn even more brightly and with force that can set things that don’t normally burn on fire.
There is no geneva convention in azeroth batman.

File: Georg-von-Reichweins-Revo(...).png (612 KB, 1000x600)

612 KB PNG

>>6372980
>Incendiary Fire, to push your existing fire to burn even more brightly and with force that can set things that don’t normally burn on fire.
Although I suppose Fel Fire also kind of did this? But thats a weapon of last resort or if Alric is really angy.

Not to be snub the armour defeating Fire Bolt either, but perhaps Alric could get a nice dark iron revolver pistol for his birthday lol. Something like pic related.

>>6372988
If I remember we we're around the Barov estate training with Jandice to see what our limit was, and Alric sorta falls over exhausted lol. It was totally a flamestrike.

I think Incendiary will have an added bonus we can try. Let 'the sword' turn regular arrows into burning napalm arrows by setting the metal arrowheads on fire.

>>6372982
>>6373032

It was remnants of the old bandit camp and it was mostly just stoking the fire to burn really big. Goes hand in hand with the fire weaving and what Alric did later to the gnolls which was using already existing fire.

It is good to remember that Alric is still super beginner when it comes to his magic and is learning bit backwards. There's a lot of stuff Alric doesn't know that is stuff mages of Dalaran learn first before learning things like Fireballs while Alric is going immediately for applications in combat.

>>6373045

Alright, I will ask rolls for Alric as he starts his attempt to push his fire into even more powerful. Magic Napalm it is!


>3d10, Best of three
>DC 15, 20, Crit 25

Rolled 4, 4, 5 = 13 (3d10)

>>6373074

Rolled 5, 6, 6 = 17 (3d10)

>>6373074

Jaina's Tips and guidance
"Make the fire hotter. You just sort of 'woosh' and tell yourself how much you hate gnolls." And then Alric burned the basement down.

Rolled 2, 5, 10 = 17 (3d10)

>>6373074
Just think of all the inhuman beasts you can immolate alric!

What would the difficulty be without the bonus I wonder. If I recall the Nalice instructions we left so long ago were to train magic sensing which did come in handy in the gnoll campaign.