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Post by Radek Wilkes on May 20, 2018 15:53:47 GMT
I suppose getting a new log-book for a new tenure at Sergeant has got to happen. Can't be mixing up the old with the new now, can I?
Today was busy, my first really busy Sunday. 20/5/18 13:00 New recruit in Stonekeep, Alex Mann. Sixty-three years old, seems alright though. Thought I'd give him a shot. Hooked him up with another trainee, some yeller named Soku or some shite; they went off to stock themselves up on bandages and arrows. Had almost forgotten how to order trainees about, usually shouting at fat, lazy veterans.Speaking of fat, lazy veterans.. my old mate Robert Tripps stumbled into Stonekeep.Not a sodding clue what he'd been dong but he was in a right state. I had the craftsman sort him out with a new uniform, weapons and such.Will have to find out what actually happened to him as the version of events he gave explain a weekend absence, not ten years. Watch this space.15:30 Whilst the trainees were out sorting their supplies and probably sleeping behind my back a few more guardsmen arrived. After the recent events in Yew I decided to take them out on a patrol to the Orc Mines, we've had a resurgence from the Undead, we don't want one from the orcs.
I instructed the line up that we'd be going to collect the yeast back that the orcs had pilfered, as well as coins. However yeast isn't really a motivational tool for guardsmen until it's turned into ale. So each guardsmen was given the opportunity to take on one of them brutes on their own.
First up recently promoted Shaw was able to manoeuvre around quite skilfully and keep the brute at bay with her arrows, easily done.
Step up 'rusty Robert' who after a few swings was crawling around gasping for breath, looked like the poor sod hadn't ran in months.
Sic' was able to stand toe-to-toe with the brute and made it a laughing stock, perhaps something more difficult for him next time.
Plenty of gold and yeast were recovered from the mines, however that bloody needy horse of mine met a grizzly end when it followed me down there and was set upon.
Going to have to find a new one now.
No rest for the wicked.
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Post by Radek Wilkes on May 20, 2018 21:29:58 GMT
20/5/18 20:00 The day was definitely not over.
Me, Tripps and Larynda were about and decided we would poke our noses in and around Cove for the evening, seeing what was up.
Previously Larynda had told me of a conversation she'd overheard from two people in Cove; Jassi (A Covian Guard) and a commoner called Sarah.
I didn't think much of it, but the topic of their conversation was serious. A plot to over-throw Avatarianism and the lass admitted to burning the Church in Stonekeep and murdering a Templar along with it.
Off we sodded to Cove, anyhow. They had a pretty impressive parade line up, over twelve of them. Hope our diplomacy is going well..
Who should be leaning on the fence oogling the Covians but this bloody Sarah woman, who quickly said she used to be a Waywatcher, traitorous bitch.
The Covians quickly left us alone with the woman and I saw my chance to confront her. She essentially admitted to everything, which for once was nice and easy. In order to maintain good relationships and to stop Nadia slapping me I presented the woman to the Baron of Cove. The Baron decided that the Church could deal with her crimes, however we were permitted to lash her for desertion.
Gave her ten of my best and then we locked her away in the Covian cells to be dealt with by Sir Hugo.
Justice, will hopefully be swift.
Long arse day.
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Post by Radek Wilkes on May 21, 2018 21:41:14 GMT
21/05/18 21:00 Today was a weird one.
Started off normal-ish. There was a trainee about, which is becoming more common I suppose; they made a roadblock. Not a bad first attempt, got me all nostalgic thinking about when Tim Spangles and I were footies, running around making huge blocks that took us hours and that nearly had working toilets in them.
I then went inside and started some paperwork- disturbed by some noise, the Captain, Tripps, Larynda and Kros sat around a table gambling, drinking, yelling and laughing.
The trader that I arranged through Gotrek arrived and exchanged three barrels of spirits for a crate of yeast. Hopefully we'll see more business with them, nice bloke.
Then this tramp/beggar arrives, starts talking all funny and hitting on everyone with breasts, so naturally, Kros had his turn.
THEN - three Vesperians arrived, full armour and just stroll into Stonekeep. Bizzare. Paid their taxes though, so they hung around for a while. Quite friendly once all the tension died down.
Eventually they left and -another- recruit turned up. That's four trainees!!
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Post by Radek Wilkes on May 23, 2018 22:13:47 GMT
23/05/18 20:00 Was on the late shift today, caught the patrol up that headed to the 'painted caves' near Trinsic moongate. The idea was that it would be a good place to mine for the craftsmen but they'd need protection. Fairly sure we got a good haul of metal, gold an other random shite. No one died and no one went missing, good show.
It's good to have Tripps back, he's steady and reliable. Still not entirely sure how he went missing for so long, not sure I ever will. Seeing him as an Ironarm is much better, the Siegers seemed to mess with his head a little.  After the patrol out Shaw came on duty and I thought it was time for her to be issued her Marksmen tasks. I took her into the office and explained her tasks, thwarted a minor panic that she had about killing a dragon on her own and then later escorted her to Valor shrine to locate one. After a few minor set backs she eventually had it killed, very good show. I'm disappointed that she's not staying on as an Ironarm but I think she'd end up coming to blows with Nadia about wearing her coif.
Things are on the up, not sure about my marriage; it's taken a hit since my return to duty. That's a story for another day though, right now the view is too good to dwell on that. |
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Post by Radek Wilkes on May 24, 2018 22:35:41 GMT
24/05/18 21:00 I'm not sure that Tripps is completely "okay".
Still got his strange ways of doing things. Unusual idiosyncrasies that he does and has. I mean I know having elves in Stonekeep is disgusting but we've got to make an effort when we have visitors. Him and Nadia stood having a bad mood contest outside and took it out on Shaw. Made her do fifteen laps for asking them if they were going to come in and have a drink.
Avatars sake. Putting out fires all over.
Quite a few different folk came to the Tavern; Vesperians, elves, Vesperian elves, Covians and eventually the Guardsmen came as well.
Only thing that wiped the frown off Nadia's face was Borgio coming back from his boat and talking about '400 ways to stab a man'..
It was all going fairly well until one of either a Covian or a Vesperian started a food fight. Chaos ensued, cheese everywhere. I did manage to snag myself a few slices to take away to the office for the night tough, so every cloud and all that. Escaflowne made advances in diplomacy inviting us to take part in some war-games idea he's had along with Cove. We discussed that, his bear-itage (heritage, but just trying my puns out here first..) and various other details. Went rather smoothly, he's keen to iron out any resentment we still hold.
That Kelly Sanderson from Cove was there, her and Raiden must share hair dye, I'm sure they're both sixty and neither of them have aged that much!
She wasn't shy about asking Shaw if we were porking, a little forward... Shaw reacted in true calmness by saying no forty times and waving her arms about like a mad man. Not great under pressure, yet.
Not that there is anything going on, mind you. |
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Post by Radek Wilkes on May 25, 2018 23:27:09 GMT
*This entry simply takes the format of a sketch.*
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Post by Radek Wilkes on May 26, 2018 23:04:43 GMT
Patrol to Destard.
Tripps, myself and the footman, Sukotsu. (I think!)
It almost seems pointless writing about it now, I wish I hadn't bothered.
Everyone did well.
Seemingly though, we're not allowed to tell that to footmen now. I'm not sure if Nadia was purposely trying to undermine everything I said tonight but she had a damn good go at it. Figured I'd wind her up a little bit and make a generically insulting comment about the Waywatchers being cowards. You know, I probably shouldn't have. I'm not going to apologise that my idea of leading is to not be horrible, grumpy and insulting to everyone below me.
I hope he does stay an Ironarm.
Bloody woman.
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Post by Radek Wilkes on May 28, 2018 20:19:55 GMT
A soft spot? Perhaps.
I wouldn't want to get ahead of myself, but there's something there. A glimmer of something that separates itself from the mundane.
She seems to understand me more than the others. Understands that one thing can be done perfectly well in two or three different ways, it doesn't take anything away from whichever path you choose. Everything in life needs balance, if there is too much of one thing there will be too much of another to counter it somewhere along the line. Trying to make some people even listen to reasoning is difficult, ignorant through age and experience in most cases, yet this attitude brings with it good things, it is our balance. Can they see that?
I've had enough of the beard, it's gone. Will let my hair grow back through again, it almost has anyway. My face feels free. It's amazing how a small change can give you a different outlook on the day.
Another footman promoted. He's done well, looks to be asking a few questions about the Besiegers, be great if one of them ever turns up. I'm not sure if I miss the days of many Besiegers or not, there seems to be a more light-hearted atmosphere without them, you know, like you're allowed to make jokes and stuff. Sineal wasn't bad, he had a good sense of humour, was pretty ruthless, but he knew how to laugh. Some of the others I often wondered what went on under their helmets, very strange individuals. It certainly changed Tripps. There's a huge difference in him now than there was back then, I mean don't get me wrong he slips back into his weirdness every now and again but at least it's not always like that.
I would like to see some of my old friends poke their heads back, even Longshot. You got used to everyone and how they worked, that some would be work shy, some would work hard and some would shoot straight down the middle. It's that balance word again. I guess the phrase I'd like to hear the most would be "Wilkes you idiot." uttered through gritted teeth as I lured Madsen into another argument, I wonder how he is, Dart, not Madsen.
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Post by Radek Wilkes on May 29, 2018 22:06:23 GMT
There is something there. A connection.
Late last night we went to the Chaos Shrine, something exciting, something risky, only two of us on duty.
It worked, we stumbled, fell over, laughed, fled but we downed a lot of tough critters, demons, balrons, dragons.
I woke up refreshed this morning, positive outlook. Took myself and a recruitment stall off to Luna and New Haven, shouting and promoting for a couple of hours. Maybe it will work, maybe it won't, there's been an increase in the number of taints running through Stonekeep, so who knows. Maybe they can read after all.
She came on duty later, wanted to get things done. Her tasks. We were to be the Guardsmen Trading Company for the evening.
From Stonekeep to Empath Abbey, from Empath to Vesper and the Swaggers and from The Swaggers to Cove.
No drama at Empath, everything done smoothly. Loaded up and off we went.
Swaggers, surprisingly no drama other than the pink haired elf hissing at us wherever we went, amusing.
Cove, a ghost town. Two very unhelpful Covians. We stumbled across the headquarters of Rulk Industries and decided to help ourselves, leaving a goodwill token on the side. Shouldn't cause too much of an issue, I hope.
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Post by Radek Wilkes on May 30, 2018 22:18:51 GMT
"The Grand Covian Market"
To be fair, it was pretty grand. I'll give them that. Many people there, old and new faces.
Congratulated Raiden on his promotion; bought him a lovely fetching yellow feathered hat. Didn't bother with Hoagie as he wouldn't remember it tomorrow even if I did.
There were some good stalls and some not-so good stalls.. I hope she likes the colour..
Hatters! Hatters! Hatters!
I heard rumours of a Bag-ball tournament, I did take my boots, I won't lie. It's been so long since I played and once you're the Olympic Champion at it you've got a reputation to maintain! Just got to get on the pitch and go a few rounds when a ball is kicked to your feet. Luckily for me my team was up to scratch, nothing on the invincibles team of me, Dart, Aiden and Vance from way back when, but we managed. Won our game 5-0, bagging a couple of goals myself. The footman really surprised me he was all over them, now yellers aren't renowned for their bag-balling ability, but this guy was lightening. In typical fashion the bag-ball descended into violence and Hoagie's bunch of losers attacked my other player, causing us to have to cancel the final game.
I accepted our prize money, might buy us some kits with it. The pointy hats are fetching, but they kind of obscure your vision while you play we need something practical if we're going to take this team any further. Hm, and to find out the name of the third member of my team. Man, I've missed bag-ball. There's an almost post-battle like feeling when you sit and have an ale after a good victory, no better feeling.
Sanderson didn't look her best afterwards, she made an effort, dressed up and all but you can't hide yer face, she looked knackered the poor girl. Staring into the bottom of a bottle and then vanished just as quickly as she arrived, hope she's alright. She's one of the good ones.
In my missions for diplomacy I've managed to secure a slot on Sunday evening, a joint training with Cove. Hopefully we get a turn out, they better not show me up.
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Post by Radek Wilkes on Jun 1, 2018 0:00:22 GMT
Another tavern night.
I might have to write to Raiden to see if he can shift the Covian's over on Tavern Nights, we need them here to dilute the idiocy that travels from Vesper. The elf was there again, but she wasn't the issue this time. I'll get onto that.
Managed to divert questions about my love life better than Shaw dealt with witnessing them, she couldn't sit still or be quiet while I wriggled expertly out of the questions on a technicality. In these early stages it is going as well as can be expected thought.
Lets start with Aiden.
Does he need help? I'm not sure, he still has me in stitches. He's still got a few marbles left. Wondering into the Tavern in a wedding dress because the Captain may or may not have a lady friend.
Then onto Darling.
Is he a man lover? Just camp? He's quite witty. More of a personality there than I first thought!
We started playing dice which lead to Sic' having to go outside and accost an elf's rear. This led to two Vesperians trying to take the law into their own hands, then the Church arrived, there was elves, and all hell broke loose. Eventually they all went home without being charred, somehow.
Nadia arrived later on and continued this little feud we've got going on where she implies that no one is good enough to be a Waywatcher and then asks for help with a random 'Watcher problem. I'm not sure she's realised that I enjoy pointing out the flawed logic or not, she keeps serving it up though. I quite like her, as long as she doesn't overstep the mark.
I think Lynx is possibly going to review the "inclusion" policy if Vesperians keep causing trouble.
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Post by Radek Wilkes on Jun 1, 2018 22:35:33 GMT
Regaining my sea-legs, somewhat.
I hopped aboard a fishing vessel with a footman earlier to deliver a package to Moonglow, the bloody fisherman spent most of his time dredging up kraken!
Having finally got back to Yew I had a pigeon from Corporal Borgio asking me to rally the men in Stonekeep as we were off treasure hunting.
The joys - more time at sea.
We had a sizeable force and some optimistically difficult maps to decipher. We just about scraped through, a few people overboard and a horse or two down but we made it back with four full horses. The most noticeable loss coming in the form of Patches who went missing at the Casino that sits at the base of the volcano. Whether Patches went onto win big that night, or whether he was melted down rather quickly by the bubbling lava we'll never know. He was loyal and he belonged to 'Kay, I couldn't help feel sorry when he didn't come clip clopping over the sand towards her. I don't know why the casino operate a non-horse policy but it royally ruined our evening out.
I think we gathered upwards of eighty-thousand coins an tonnes of weapons and armour to smelt down.
I actually didn't mind being at sea. Maybe it's growing on me.
Maybe.
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Post by Radek Wilkes on Jun 3, 2018 21:21:36 GMT
Sunday, bloody sunday.
Tonight was the first large-scale training between Cove and Yew in recent memory and it was my job to run it. I resisted taking part so that I could ensure it ran as smoothly as possible.
It did, thankfully.
The Guardsmen were inspected, updated on events around Yew and then briefed of what the evening had in store for them. We awaited the arrival of the Covian force while I had already split our Guardsmen into teams and sent them off to wait for the Covians to be divided. I split the forces as evenly as possible by rank and choice of weapon. Each team had a turn at defending and fortifying the Eastern Outpost. They had 10 minutes to fight and re-join, after which they were not permitted to re-join and a winner was eventually decided.
The first round saw the Blue team just about defend from the red team, the roof flashing red for a moment before they got back in control of it. I allowed the red team to make a transfer to alter any balance in the teams and they did, choosing old Tiberius from Cove to swap for the footman.
The second round saw the blue team also successfully attack the outpost, just snuffing the reds out in the last minute. I held a traditional last man standing back on the citadel roof to close, an elf winning. Of all people, an elf!? The Church will have my head.
Hopefully this paves some way for relationship building between us and Cove, I'd hate to see them fall in line with Vesper given their numbers. We'd be in a sticky situation. I'm going to maintain the charm offensive.
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Post by Radek Wilkes on Jun 6, 2018 21:42:02 GMT
Trophy hunt.
Something to be proud of, something to bring home and tell the grand-kids about.
Took a bunch of Guardsmen to the Chaos shrine to see what trophies we could get our hands on. Looking for heads of the big names, and anything golden we could sink our axes into.
Started off brilliantly, stepping foot through the gate into a waiting Balron. We formed and took it down with no losses, a patrol to Chaos that wasn't doomed from the start. Could it be?
We pressed on, everything falling to our tight formation and team work. Golden beaties, scaley beasties and everything else.
She-demons, demons, golden demons, pheonix, golden dragons. All of it fell to our formation. Strength certainly in numbers.
Returning back, we ventured straight to Cove to celebrate at their Tavern Night. A few ales in and there was whisperings of the Church folk gathering outside. They were preparing to raise the new Church, we were drafted in to help with the appearance of the Yewish chapter of the Church. A few hours later and we eventually stood under the new building, team work again proving to be the order of the day.
After a mass, confession, wytch branding and thithe we were eventually dismissed from Church duty and returned home to Yew.
The face I longed to see was waiting for me.
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Post by Radek Wilkes on Jun 7, 2018 22:14:37 GMT
Alliance secure.
Tonight saw the Vesperians push the Covians too far. Their treaty was in tatters within minutes. The Baron marched to Stonekeep, signed an alliance agreement with Lynx and we marched immediately on Vesper. A show of might and to dissolve their Republic. A great day for Yew. A step closer to re-gaining Minoc, a step closer to driving the Vesperians into the dirt.
Tripps asked if I'd allow him to be a Besieger again. I don't want to, I won't stop him.
Not much to write tonight, still trying to take it all in.
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Post by Radek Wilkes on Jun 10, 2018 22:20:36 GMT
Into the Abyss.
After a diplomatic visit from Escaflowne trying and failing to undo the actions of that elven Captain of his, Corporal Borgio had summoned us to Stonekeep, more sailing I suspected.
Todays patrols are definitely increasing in intensity, today we went to "The Abyss", a wonderfully welcoming name.
We were there to gather resources that apparently are only found deep inside. I've never ran so fecking much in my life, we were at a constant forced march as we fled from giant demons to try and find what we were looking for. Scavenging ratmen that had unknowingly gathered hoards of the resources we were after.
After a bit of being in there the ratman chieftains came out and although they took a while to take down didn't offer us much of a challenge.
Was good to see so many guardsmen about tonight.
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Post by Radek Wilkes on Jun 14, 2018 20:15:04 GMT
Last night was different- good different. Not everyday that you get to dress up in finery!
Cove invited us to celebrate the opening of their new Town Hall as the Baron threw a banquet for the occasion. Waited on hand and foot, in pleasant company with nice food. I could get used to this diplomacy bollocks. We discussed everything, told jokes, persecuted elves and witnessed duelling for entertainment. Alliance matters were discussed. Lines drawn up and maps changing colours. Things look promising for this northern alliance.
Mine and Raiden's relationship reached further heights as he asked for my blessing over his relationship with one of the Waywatchers. Not that it's anything to do with me, I gave him my blessing. I don't envy Aries telling Nadia, but that's for her to do. I'm sure I'll hear the screams from the 'Watcher tower. They seem quite genuine.
We took Tripps, Aries, Suko and the feral one to Cove with us, they were relatively well behaved. The feral one did play bag-ball with a human skull around the banquet hall but Aries managed to smuggle her back into the non-officer lounge.. crisis averted. Would've been amusing for a few seconds if she'd have caught the skull on the volley and landed it the Baron's soup.
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Post by Radek Wilkes on Jun 17, 2018 21:16:32 GMT
Another sunday, another bloody sunday.
To the Blood Dungeon, Spirituality.
A long while since I last ventured there. I think I was too cocky, I thought it would be easy. We entered, easy. Walked west, then south, blood puddles, easy, demons, easy. South again towards a chamber. Funny looking blood puddles, lots of them. Chaos. Bodies everywhere, tactical retreats, reinforcements! Just about got things back on track, killed a few more for good measure. Feeling like we were pushing our luck we headed for the centre chamber to kill a Balron and then head home.
It was gold. Of course it was.
We retreated, it hadn't noticed us. Kros started telling us a story about a man he once knew called "Leroy".. and then he vanished, ran head first into the Balron. Chaos. Bodies everywhere.
A taint appeared and helped us over-power it, eventually.
Kros never did tell us Leroy's second name...
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Post by Radek Wilkes on Jun 24, 2018 21:17:11 GMT
Promoted Tripps to Acting Corporal. I'm sure I even heard a smile crack under that helmet. Felt fitting I should get to promote him at least once.
So - A tournament in Cove, historic Covian event. Won by famous Covian's all over.
Step up The Guardsmen Militia.
1st - Aiden
2nd - Me
3rd - Tripps
4th - Kros
Balance in Sosoria restored. Yewish prowess stamped all over.
Was a good tournament, shite armour, shite weapons. Levelled everyone off.
Ten bandages each. Not sure how I managed to beat Kros, I ran out of bandages way before him. Just about knocked him down whilst staggering around myself. He's not a bad fighter for someone that rarely fights.
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Post by Radek Wilkes on Jul 8, 2018 20:28:08 GMT
In search of Nottinbury.
Tripps left a report on my desk, he's been searching for the missing Besieger Corporal.
With a meagre crowd gathered I asked Corporal Borgio if we'd be able to sail to Hythloth to cross one dungeon he was known to frequent off Tripps' list.
Myself, Borgio, Tripps and Harper set off. Casting some nets on the way, docking our boat perfectly beside the dungeon entrance. The place is chaotic to say the least, hidden traps, magic portals, floor tiles and whatever else. We held it together, didn't take any casualties. Even had time to put Harper into a room and try and see if she could stay on her feet for one minute. She got 58 seconds, but I'll let her off. She's doing well since leaving the Waywatchers. Need to keep an eye on Tripps though. Poaching little shite.
We need to get more guardsmen on duty, and fast. Haven't even seen Shaw for a while. I hope she's okay.
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