Completed [LP] Enlist in the Royal Dragoons! Codex plays Sabres of Infinity

[baud]

1.
Ride ahead!

 

[Lithium Flower]

Stay behind: I must to try to help Elson.

You rein your horse in and turn around, right into the huge dust cloud following the charging regiment. You stumble out, your eyes burning and your throat raw from coughing.

Elson's horse barrels out of the dust a few paces in front of you, bucking wildly. The young aristocrat's limp body still hangs from the stirrup, flung to and fro by his rampant mount's wild twisting and turning.

Your hand lashes out quickly as you bring your horse alongside. With a sharp tug on the reins, you bring the wildly thrashing horse to heel. Carefully, you are able to calm Elson's mount down enough to dismount and pull its unconscious rider from the stirrup. You stretch Elson as flat as you can on the churned up turf. A moment's inspection quickly reveals that he is bleeding from several places. Despite the urgency of the situation, no immediate response of any intelligence comes to mind. You can only call frantically for the healers and look on as they bandage Elson up and take him to the infirmary.

-

Elson has suffered immense injury, but due to your quick response, he is stable and sleeping in his own bed again by the time you return. Atop your cot lies a note, written in Elson's own fine handwriting:

"Some of the lads told me it was you. Thank you. -D. E."

-

Montez proves less angry at your choices during the exercise than you had feared. While he seems quite annoyed at your choice to prioritize the well-being of a very junior officer before the overall objective, he does not seem as entirely displeased with you as the circumstances would seem to demand. He gives you a rather limp lecture on maintaining priorities in battle. With a weary dismissal, he orders you out of his office, but before you reach the door he fires off one last parting shot.

"Cornet Ortiga, what you did this morning was a display of initiative and quick-thinking far above the call of duty. It was an action which places you among the ranks of the finest of men."

Montez gives a thin smile, something in between a grimace and a smirk.

"Don't do it again."

-

Strangely enough, your heroic action seems to have denied Cazarosta his promotion: When the promotion board heard about your heroic actions, some voted to brevet you instead. Eventually, the board tied, and ended up promoting neither of you.

-

A few days later, you wake to the steady roll of a kettle drum. Dressed and equipped, you step out onto the open sea-side parapet to behold the lean, dark forms of half a dozen warships, each flying the tower and gryphon of the Royal Tierran Navy.

The parade grounds are full of horses, men and equipment being loaded onto boats for the short trip over the water to the waiting ships. You are ordered to gather up your pack and join your squadron in preparation for the same.

-

You are taken aboard one of the boats with a dozen other men of your squadron. The trip to your transport is slow, but the wind is relatively light and the receding tide helps you on your way out.

The warship assigned to carry you to Antar is the HMS Victorious, a predatory-looking frigate of forty-four guns. The Captain is a thin, balding Aetorian named Walken. He welcomes you aboard with a short, perfunctory speech and has his petty officers assign you quarters. As an officer, you are allowed the privilege of sharing a small quarterdeck cabin with Elson and Cazarosta, as opposed to the gundeck hammocks to which the enlisted men will be relegated.

-
​

The ship's bell rings just as the three of you arrive in your new temporary quarters. The deck above your heads reverberates with the rhythm of bare feet on wood. You hear the Captain's muffled voice giving orders to cast off.


You come back on deck in time to see the Victorious' sails unfurl. All along the coast, the ships of your convoy cast off in an attempt to make it into the open sea before the tide turns against them. You watch from the quarterdeck as the Victorious takes its position at the rear of the column and as she takes you away from the receding coast of Tierra and off to war.

CHAPTER II
Being the story of the cavalry officer's voyage aboard His Majesty's Ship VICTORIOUS and the events which did there take place.
​

The first few days of your sea voyage could not possibly be counted as eventful. The hours are parcelled into an endless cycle of drums and bells with only the pendulous back-and-forth movement of the deck as proof that you are even travelling at all. Elson spends his most of his time heaving his guts out over the railing.

Cazarosta passes his days either entirely engrossed in silent prayer or face-deep in his books: namely, histories of the League of Antar and its component peoples. While it is no doubt good to learn about your enemy, it does not make him any more sociable.

The sailors are, to a man, too busy to pay attention to the spurious questionings of a band of turf-loving fops.

Of HMS Victorious' company of some four hundred men and officers, only the half-company of grim, stolid Royal Marines pay you and your fellow Dragoons any heed. Despite the normal interservice rivalry which tends to crop up between the Royal Marines and the rest of the army, they are more than happy to show you some guidance when it comes to navigating the seedier aspects of the soldier's trade.

What do you do in the first few days of your sea journey?

1) Pick up some fighting tips from the Marines.
2) Try to socialize with the common sailors.
3) Make conversation with the ship's officers.
4) I brush up on my knowledge of the League of Antar.

Personal Information

As of the Spring of the 602nd year of the Old Imperial Era.

Alaric d'al Ortiga
Age: 14
Rank: Cornet
Wealth: 60
Income: 5

Soldiering: 60%

Charisma: 40%

Intellect: 0%

Reputation: 42%

Health: 75%

Idealism: 65% Cynicism: 35%

Ruthlessness: 37% Mercy: 63%

You have no decorations as of yet.

(After this choice, opportunities to improve our stats will be few and far between. As it stands now, our Soldiering is very good, our Charisma is average, and our Intellect is non-existent. All other stats are going to be much quicker to change."

Persons of Importance

MICHAEL BRIGGINS
(Born 578 OIE) Lieutenant in the Royal Tierran Navy, Third Lieutenant, HMSVictorious, Baneless.

CAIUS D'AL CAZAROSTA
(Born 585 OIE) Cornet of the Royal Dragoon Regiment. Illegitimate son of the Countess of Leoniscourt. Deathborn.

SIR JOHANNES D'AL FINDLAY, DUKE OF CUNARIS
(Born 556 OIE) Lord colonel of the Royal Dragoon Regiment. Knight-Grandmaster of the order of Saint Jerome. A sitting member of the Cortes and head of the noble house of Findlay. Banecaster of the 8th Calibre.

LORD DAVIS D'AL ELSON
(Born 584 OIE) Cornet of the Royal Dragoon Regiment, eldest son of the Baron of Hawthorne , a poor, but politically influential Cortes noble. In possession of aspirations to knighthood. Banecaster of the 3rd Calibre.

SIR ALFRED D'AL MONTEZ
(Born 565 OIE) The Commanding officer of the Third Squadron of the Royal Dragoon Regiment. holds the rank of captain. Baneblood.

HIS TIERRAN MAJESTY, KING MIGUEL I OF HOUSE RENDOWER
(Born 586 OIE) Reigning monarch of the Unified Kingdom of Tierra as well as Duke of Aetoria. Young and impetuous, but capable. Baneblood.

RICHARD WALKEN, RN
(Born 565 OIE) Captain of the List in the Royal Tierran Navy. Commanding officer, HMS Victorious. Baneless

State of War

SPRING, 602:

With the thawing of the winter snows, the Tierran Army has begun expanding its beachhead around the town of Noringia.

The King has demanded that at least three Regiments of Foot and one Regiment of Horse must be deployed reinforce the forces in Antar by the end of summer.

The Earl of Crittenden, Port-Admiral at Northern Pillars, reports the Calligian Sea to be free of Antari warships.

 

[baud]

1. Let's meet other soldiers! And make friends enemies

 

[ERYFKRAD]

4>1

 

[Grimgravy]

4>3

 

[Storyfag]

4
I am desperate to raise good cornet Ortiga's intellect.

For the record, since Elson is a banecaster, which are naturally rare, I am surprised the good captain considers him as expandable as any other junior officer. His talent even though minor, ought to be considered a special resource, and accordingly protectet and cultivated.

 

[baud]

For the record, since Elson is a banecaster

Where did you get that?

 

[Lithium Flower]

For the record, since Elson is a banecaster

Where did you get that?

LORD DAVIS D'AL ELSON
(Born 584 OIE) Cornet of the Royal Dragoon Regiment, eldest son of the Baron of Hawthorne , a poor, but politically influential Cortes noble. In possession of aspirations to knighthood. Banecaster of the 3rd Calibre.

Storyfag

Since we only know that Elson is a banecaster from his description as opposed to his reputation or actions, we can probably assume that 3rd calibre is pretty lackluster in terms of power. Since even simplest rituals require dozens of baneseals, I assume that there are few niche tasks in which low-calibre banecasters are more efficient than conventional methods.

Also, the fact that a deathborn like Cazanostra was actually selected to lead the mock charge and was even considered for a brevet promotion suggests that Montez prefers merit over blood.

 

[JRIz]

So our choice was a Soldiering + a minor Intellect check, which we failed of course. Note to self: We suck at first aid, don't try again!

Those current choices look to me like some 10% stat increases again:

1 Soldiering
2 Charisma
3 Reputation
4 Maybe Intellect, maybe just some background information that becomes important during a later event.

What I think:

1 Good for us both in case it's a skill check as well as an increase.
2 Maybe we should focus on Soldiering again now instead of Charisma.
3 Reputation will follow our actions anyway.
4 Has 3 votes already but I'm not sure about the outcome and with the rationalization that we, a lowly officer still, don't need that much knowledge to begin with, I'm being cautious and

vote for 1.

I am desperate to raise good cornet Ortiga's intellect.

Intellect is for fags. Also pretty useless, starting from 0% now.

 

[Kipeci]

1

Alaric would probably just eat the book, anyway. Let's see one simple trick Antari don't want us to know.

 

[Storyfag]

Also, the fact that a deathborn like Cazanostra was actually selected to lead the mock charge and was even considered for a brevet promotion suggests that Montez prefers merit over blood.

This sort of attitude does not make sense in a world where noble blood has actual special properties, as opposed to our world.

Still, I am not saying Montez should realistically promote Elson over Cazanostra. But, realistically, he should pay greater care to the wellbeing of Elson.

Incidentally, can a banecaster improve his calibre with practice?

 

[Lithium Flower]

Btw, here is what the glossary says about the 3rd calibre:

CALIBRE:
ex: "He was a Banecaster of the third calibre, barely worth mentioning."
A scale of measurement of a Banecaster's ability, with first calibre being the weakest and tenth being the strongest.
SEE: BANECASTER

This sort of attitude does not make sense in a world where noble blood has actual special properties, as opposed to our world.

Arguably. I would say that the fact that baneblood actually matters in this setting does justify some elitism (probably not the best word. What is a term for prejudice towards lesser bloodlines? Sanguis...ism?), but only some of it. Which is what makes this setting rather nuanced and interesting, I think. Yeah, banebloods have a neat perk of sensing the presence of life energy and a minority can manipulate it, but bear in mind that the popular in-setting expectation is that these same people somehow have natural inclinations for command, intelligence, and refinement thanks to their good breeding. Elson, from what we've seen so far, is pretty useless. He would plausibly make a much better scout than a baneless man thanks to banesight but an average, baneless NCO would probably do a cornet's job far better than he can.

I see your point. Ideally he would be assigned to some auxillary duty, far away from the front line or even command of men, or put in a support unit. But again, the privilege of his blood allowed Elson to purchase his commission rather than earning his position.

I could say more but I don't want to go too deep into spoilerland.

Also, I think Montez' critique of our actions was 1. reluctant 2. based on the fact that the mock charge was supposed to behave like a real one (he really tears you a new asshole if you manage to stop the charge just for Elson)

Incidentally, can a banecaster improve his calibre with practice?

According to reference, "all Banecasters might be trained, but their ability to implement their training varies from individual to individual." I think stronger bloodline = higher chance for higher calibre but I am not sure. Maybe their calibre refers to this natural limit to which they are able to train their power?

 

[ERYFKRAD]

Alaric would probably just eat the book, anyway.

Well that's some food for thought now, innit.

 

[Lithium Flower]

(ERYFKRAD's soft vote counts as a tie-breaker.)

While many have barely seen any combat at all, two of the grizzled NCOs in the marine contingent had fought in King Alaric's War some thirty years ago. They take to teaching you dirty fighting with great enthusiasm.

Soon, you learn the best way to blind an enemy with a fistful of sand, and how to get in close and use your boot to permanently end your opponents' hopes of siring children.

However, your lessons do not go unnoticed by your superiors. They do not look kindly upon a gentleman officer of the Royal Dragoons learning such dishonourable modes of combat.

-

In the early morning of your fifth day at sea, you awake to the sounds of drums and the louder, deeper beat of someone frantically pounding at your door.

It is one of the Victorious' midshipmen. In a squeaky, terrified voice, he announces that the Victorious has sighted a merchantman flying the white eagle on red of the League of Antar. The boy, barely twelve, tells you that Captain Walken has made the decision to break off from the rest of the flotilla and engage the enemy vessel directly.

-

As you walk up onto the quarterdeck, you can hear the Victorious' captain laying out the situation plainly both to his own lieutenants and your own senior officers. A fat, slow merchant vessel would be an excellent source of prize money; both the cargo and the heavy, capacious hull of the captured vessel itself would be worth a substantial amount of cash once she is sailed back to a Tierran port and sold.

However, he notes sourly. No Antari merchant vessel would be so stupid as to travel unescorted, especially this close to the Tierran naval base at Northern Pillars. He quickly concludes that the vessel is likely a trap: packed to the brim with heavily armed Antari soldiers ready to overwhelm any boarding party.

Despite the protests of his own officers, you hear him insist that the risk is worth the reward. He restates his orders to capture the enemy vessel.

-

Within half an hour, you see the Antari vessel for yourself. She is a lubberly, ungainly thing, floating low in the water.

As the minutes pass, it becomes clear that the Antari vessel will not escape. Its hull is too fat and the sail plan it carries was obsolete half a century ago. As you draw closer, you can see the deck of the merchant vessel. Her raised forecastle and quarterdeck are overflowing with mobs of Antari sailors, armed with clubs, axes, cutlasses and a smattering of muskets. They are hardly a professional fighting force, but it is clear that they plan on defending their ship to the death.

-

A pair of marines rush past you, long rifled muskets hanging off their backs: snipers. They grab onto the rigging and begin climbing up the ropes with simian grace. Your eyes follow them as they hoist themselves up to the tops of the mizzen mast, passing the half-dozen marines already in position in the rigging.

Suddenly, a puff of smoke issues from the form of one of the marines. A sharp crack echoes across the deck. The Antari at the wheel of the other ship clutches his forehead and falls to the deck, his face a ruin. More gunshots ring out, more Antari die.

-

The Antari merchantman is barely a few hundred metres away. From your position on deck, you can see its ragged crew bracing themselves for a boarding action. Even from this distance you can hear their taunts and prayers in their alien tongue.

The thunder of a broadside issues from the Victorious' guns. The Antari vessel is showered in gore as grapeshot tears apart those crewmen unlucky enough to be caught in the open.

The Victorious' deck, already cleared for action, is filling with the orange-coated bodies of two dozen barefooted marines, assembled in ranks, muskets in hand. You realize with a start that a few of your fellow Dragoons, Elson and Cazarosta among them, are rushing in to fill out their ranks. Each new addition is given a warm nod and a slap on the back from the grizzled salt-and-pepper haired marine sergeant leading the boarding party.

The lieutenant watching beside you grimaces. "Poor stupid fools. Captain Walken said he'd give any volunteer a cut of the prize. Bloody stupid. Men without their sea legs have no place in a boarding action. They'll just get themselves killed."

The naval officer has a point. The deck still feels slick and unsteady under your feet.

The lieutenant leans forward, squinting as if he cannot believe his own eyes. "Saints have mercy. I think one of your friends is trying to convince poor Sergeant Toriston to let him lead the action." You look down to see Cazarosta pushing himself to the head of the formation, towards the NCO readying to board. The lieutenant's frustration and shock are palpable. No matter how veteran the Victorious' marine sergeant, he would have no choice but to give way to a commissioned officer, no matter how junior.

Including you, in fact, if you had a mind to lead yourself.

You decide to:

1) Take command! We should not leave the conduct of the battle to a mere sergeant!
2) Join the boarding party. I will show them the stuff that Royal Dragoons are made out of!
3) Go below decks. I shouldn't get in the way. The marines are trained for this sort of thing, I'm not.
4) Try to talk the other Dragoons in the boarding party out of it. They'll only get themselves killed.

Personal Information

As of the Spring of the 602nd year of the Old Imperial Era.

Alaric d'al Ortiga
Age: 14
Rank: Cornet
Wealth: 60
Income: 5

Soldiering: 64%

Charisma: 40%

Intellect: 0%

Reputation: 38%

Health: 75%

Idealism: 61% Cynicism: 39%

Ruthlessness: 37% Mercy: 63%

You have no decorations as of yet.

 

[Grimgravy]

4>3

 

[ERYFKRAD]

2 soldiering's what we do best so soldiering's where we'll be most handy right now.

 

[Storyfag]

4

 

[baud]

For the record, since Elson is a banecaster

Where did you get that?

LORD DAVIS D'AL ELSON
(Born 584 OIE) Cornet of the Royal Dragoon Regiment, eldest son of the Baron of Hawthorne , a poor, but politically influential Cortes noble. In possession of aspirations to knighthood. Banecaster of the 3rd Calibre.

Storyfag

Since we only know that Elson is a banecaster from his description as opposed to his reputation or actions, we can probably assume that 3rd calibre is pretty lackluster in terms of power. Since even simplest rituals require dozens of baneseals, I assume that there are few niche tasks in which low-calibre banecasters are more efficient than conventional methods.

Also, the fact that a deathborn like Cazanostra was actually selected to lead the mock charge and was even considered for a brevet promotion suggests that Montez prefers merit over blood.

I fail at reading.

I'll say 2, to take advantage of our best stat.

 

[Kipeci]

1 > 2

We’re really good at fighting, and we have to be an officer at some point. Let’s muster up a rousing speech and stab some dudes, no point cowering in a corner.

 

[JRIz]

We do have some Charisma and I guess that would make us a passable leader for a small boarding party (1). But I fear that this choice also requires some Intellect check which would make us look pretty bad.

3 and 4 are kingcomrade options. Of course 2 is best; this is what we trained for.

 

[Commissar Draco]

1) Let's kick some ass and show we are Officer and Leader Material.

 

[JRIz]

I wonder what 'leadership' is composed of in this case. It might involve all three base stats, but to what degree? Maybe it's just Charisma and Soldiering for small squad tactics after all and only larger engagements require Intellect... Maybe we should choose 1 just to see if we are up to it so we are better prepared in later similar situations. But my vote is still 2: Let's kick some ass first and be a leader only if we must.

 

[Lithium Flower]

I wonder what 'leadership' is composed of in this case. It might involve all three base stats, but to what degree? Maybe it's just Charisma and Soldiering for small squad tactics after all and only larger engagements require Intellect... Maybe we should choose 1 just to see if we are up to it so we are better prepared in later similar situations. But my vote is still 2: Let's kick some ass first and be a leader only if we must.

Usually its intellect to formulate a battle plan, soldiering governs your personal combat performance, whereas charisma is for interactions with your men (rallying them, upholding morale, forcing them to do something stupid, etc)

Even with 0 intellect you will usually be given a set of plans based on codified dragoon tactics, but you won't be improvising well or pulling off any groundbreaking, clever strategies any time soon.

When it will be time to command your own men their effectiveness will depend on their own stats more so than your personal stats, but the latter are used in part to cultivate the former.

Also, you won't always be given clear "Use Soldiering/Intellect/Charisma" options. Some choices rely on a combination of stats, others require previous set up or hidden variables. There are situations in which certain stats lead to better results than others (one could resolve a diplomatic dispute with Soldiering to an undiplomatically violent result, utterly fucking everything up) etc

not sure if anything above makes sense but basically there be nuance and shieeet

 

[Lithium Flower]

You take your leave of the Third Lieutenant and walk up to the gathering boarding party, a willing volunteer. Elson smiles as you take a place next to him.

"Come for your share of the glory after all have you dear fellow?" he says as he looks over his pistol. "Very good! Very good indeed! There'll be plenty of glory for everyone today."

As you return Elson's grin, you see Cazarosta whispering to the Sergeant in command of the marines. Their hushed conversation grows heated for a moment, then the Sergeant slowly nods and stands upright.

He explains that Cazarosta has convinced him that the party must be commanded by an officer, and thus, the Dragoon Cornet is to take command. A wave of complaint washes over the marines, though some of the Dragoons clearly find the fact that they are to be commanded by one of their own heartening.

The Sergeant quickly quiets any dissention with a wave of his hand. The shape of the enemy ship looms large off the port side. There is no time for anything save the final preparations for the upcoming battle.

-

By the time you take your place and finish checking over your sabre and pistol, the Victorious is barely twenty metres away from the staggering Antari vessel. Cazarosta takes his place at the head of the boarding party.

"Marines, with me. Set a firing line of two ranks as we cross. Elson! Look for banecasters."

Another volley of cannonfire assaults your ears. Once again, thunder and flame lash across the stricken enemy vessel's side. As the smoke clears, the Sergeant gives the order to lower the gangplanks.

A handful of marines crawl forward, carrying heavy wooden boards. At a pre-arranged signal, they slip the boarding planks over the top of the sailcloth bulwarks as more marines atop the quarterdeck and forecastle hurl grappling hooks over the side. Before long, the lines haul the stricken enemy vessel up against the oaken side of the Victorious. The Sergeant signals that they are ready to go, and Cazarosta gives the order.

"Tierra and Victory! Advance!"

-

One by one, you shuffle across the narrow gangplank, with Cazarosta and the marines leading the way somewhere ahead of you.

The choking powder fog is thick enough to obscure you from Antari snipers, but not enough to disorient you. You step onto the deck of the enemy ship just as the smoke clears.

The deck of the Antari vessel is a still-life of carnage. The dead are everywhere, transfixed by musket balls, ripped asunder by grapeshot or torn to shreds by splinters. The wooden deck is slick with gore. The iron-sweet smell of spilled blood and burned flesh forces its way up your nostrils.

You feel a curious tugging sensation from the corner of your mind. Flowing streams of faint, sickly green light play patterns across your vision. Before you can make any mention of it, you hear Elson's voice from ahead.

"Banefire! Get down!"

-

You hit the blood-soaked deck in time to see a wave of green light wash towards you with a muffled "woomph." You keep your head down as the intense heat sears your back and green light burns your eyes through your tightly-shut eyelids.

-

The marine Sergeant is the first one up. "Platoon! Form ranks! Let's find us some Antari to ki—"

The Sergeant's orders are stopped mid-sentence as he falls limp, dying fingers scrabbling at the gaping hole at his throat. The man who killed him is standing not fifteen paces away, his now-empty pistol already dropping to the deck.

Behind him are dozens of Antari soldiers in leather and mail pouring out from the forecastle and quarterdeck. With a great roar, they charge you en-masse.

-

Cazarosta springs into action.

"Elson, take the marines! Seize the forecastle! Ortiga, stay here with Darnell and Higgins and guard the gangplanks! The rest of you, to the quarterdeck with me!"

With a few quick orders, Cazarosta regains control of the situation. As the mass of Tierran soldiery splits up into three groups, the Antari stop short in the confusion, their momentum halted by the sudden dispersal of their foes. By the time they begin to move forward again, it is too late. A volley of musket fire echoes from the forecastle, cutting down half a dozen attackers. The irregular rhythm of pistol fire sounds from aft, picking off more Antari. A pistol ball slams into the deck beside you, courtesy of an Antari soldier who is quickly downed by a sniper atop the Victorious' masts.

Then, they are upon you.

-

The lead Antari lunges towards you, a long-headed ahlpike in his hands. The weapon's long spike point is vicious-looking, but slow, and you easily direct the blow away with the flat of your sabre. You throw yourself forward, inside the Antari's guard. Two quick strokes with your sabre and he falls with gaping wounds to the chest and throat.

You step forward to finish him off. You thrust the heavy steel blade into the man's chest and twist, just as you were taught in training. Blood fountains from your victim's mouth as he goes limp.

You have just killed your first man.

-

The battle does not last long past that. Attacked on three fronts and obviously unsuited to fighting aboard ship, the fight goes out of the Antari quickly. Within a few minutes, all resistance ends. Cazarosta leads the entire boarding party through one last sweep of the ship, rounding up prisoners and negotiating terms with the ship's officers.

Soon, Lieutenant Briggins of the Victorious comes over the gangplank with a pair of midshipmen and two dozen able seamen to form a prize crew. You are relieved and are sent back to the Victorious with the other Dragoons and half of the surviving marines.

You reach your cabin before the others and collapse eagerly onto your cot. You awake a few hours later to the sound of an insistent fist pounding on your cabin door.

It is once again one of the Victorious' midshipmen. Captain Walken has requested your presence at a debriefing being held in the wardroom. You dress quickly and put some vain effort into making yourself presentable before stepping out into the cool evening air.

The Victorious' crew moves around you as you walk across the deck. Some are busy loading supplies onto the newly captured Antari vessel, whilst others are repairing the damage inflicted on both ships during the battle. Soon, the captured prize will be sent back to the Tierran naval base at Northern Pillars, while the Victorious continues north towards Antar.

-

The wardroom is full to bursting as you enter. Cazarosta, Elson and Captain Montez are on one side, while Captain Walken of the Victorious and two of his lieutenants sit on the other, with Third lieutenant Briggins standing before them, making a report on the state of the prize vessel.

"Our prize is a grain ship, nothing too valuable. It was likely sailing south to Callindria or Takara to trade grain for weaponry. I suppose its owner decided to rig a surprise for us, in case it was attacked. It was most unfortunate that we did not bag this one returning north. We could have all taken Callindrian swords as trophies."

You take the seat reserved for you as Briggins finishes by proclaiming his newly captured prize ready to set sail within the hour. Now Walken turns to you and your fellow Dragoons.

-

"Major Montez," (for an army captain is always addressed as 'major' at sea as to avoid confusion aboard ship.) "I would first like to congratulate your men for their work in today's action. Allow me to offer them my compliments first, lest the criticism to follow breaks their unhardened spirits, hmm?"

Walken shakes Montez's hand and continues on.

-

Captain Walken turns to Cazarosta, his expression furious.

"Cornet Cazarosta, you were in command of this fiasco, were you not?"

When Cazarosta answers in the affirmative, Walken all but explodes.

"Half a dozen of my marines are dead including my best sergeant, another eight wounded. All because some entitled death-born idiot wanted to play officer!"

Cazarosta defends himself without hesitation, his face a carefully constructed mask.

"With all due respect sir," his tone making it clear how little respect that meant, "I ordered Cornet Elson to look for banecasting, which he did. A baneblood would—"

Walken cuts him off with a brusque wave. "A proper baneblood would have avoided this altogether. Good men are dead because you did not know your place. It is my opinion that the rotten fruit of such hideous miscegenation should have no place in His Majesty's Army!"

-

Walken goes on like this for an hour, berating Cazarosta and criticizing just about every single part of his battle plan. Your fellow Dragoon does nothing but sit there, stone faced. It is clear that he has faced such abuse many times before.

Finally, the Captain concludes, "Major, I expect you to punish this incompetent for the lives that he has wasted. Dismissed."

You shuffle out of the wardroom in a dark mood. You return to the cabin with Elson as you see Montez and Cazarosta in whispered conversation with Captain Walken.

-

Soon after, Cazarosta returns. Drained of emotion, he conveys the news that he has been officially reprimanded, just a step away from being cashiered. He pauses for a moment, as if waiting for one of you to say something.

1) I want to know why Captain Walken was so hard on Cazarosta.
2) I don't really have anything to say.

Personal Information

As of the Spring of the 602nd year of the Old Imperial Era.

Alaric d'al Ortiga
Age: 14
Rank: Cornet
Wealth: 60
Income: 5

Soldiering: 64%

Charisma: 40%

Intellect: 0%

Reputation: 38%

Health: 75%

Idealism: 66% Cynicism: 34%

Ruthlessness: 37% Mercy: 63%

You have no decorations as of yet.

 

[ERYFKRAD]

1. I expect it's because the dumbass should have known better, but anyway.