Written By Tobias
March 18, 2018, 1:09 a.m.(5/18/1008 AR)
I haven't been hit so hard and hurt so badly in a very long time.
The Battle of Stormwall proved that my plate armor suit was a very good investment; Taking a war maul to the chest as hard as I did and not having my ribs collapse in on themselves was pretty much a miracle, especially after the fall to the ground. I took some solid hits before that, but someone who can hit me hard enough to throw me off the wall? That takes serious strength.
The Mercies are very good at their job, but I still hurt all over. I think I'm going to be recovering from Stormwall for a while.
We faced some serious numbers there... but I'm proud of the work the Crimson Blades did. We're usually integrated into the main army and providing core troops and expertise.. being skirmishers isn't our usual job, but we did well.
The Battle of Stormwall proved that my plate armor suit was a very good investment; Taking a war maul to the chest as hard as I did and not having my ribs collapse in on themselves was pretty much a miracle, especially after the fall to the ground. I took some solid hits before that, but someone who can hit me hard enough to throw me off the wall? That takes serious strength.
The Mercies are very good at their job, but I still hurt all over. I think I'm going to be recovering from Stormwall for a while.
We faced some serious numbers there... but I'm proud of the work the Crimson Blades did. We're usually integrated into the main army and providing core troops and expertise.. being skirmishers isn't our usual job, but we did well.
Written By Tobias
March 12, 2018, 7:17 a.m.(5/6/1008 AR)
I forgot how much I hated handling winter warfare logistics.
Finding enough winterwear and fur cloaks for new Crimson Blades who have never gone as far north as Stormwall is a real time killer.
Finding enough winterwear and fur cloaks for new Crimson Blades who have never gone as far north as Stormwall is a real time killer.
Written By Tobias
Nov. 5, 2017, 6 a.m.(7/11/1007 AR)
My original promise of potential employment in the Crimson Blades for former Thralls is still open, and now that things are moving along, I'll be making good on that promise.
Written By Tobias
Oct. 10, 2017, 6:02 p.m.(5/16/1007 AR)
I should probably thank my lucky stars this contract didn't take us too far north. We only packed light winter gear for this one, and it'd probably take half a week to get the heavy stuff from HQ if House Grayson insists on pushing out of the forest.
Wish I had talked them into hiring more men, too.
Wish I had talked them into hiring more men, too.
Written By Tobias
Sept. 14, 2017, 7:50 a.m.(3/18/1007 AR)
Didn't think I'd be visiting Maelstrom in my life as a military commander... but here I am, a company of the Crimson Blades heading to Maelstrom for siege preparations.
If nothing else, I've always wanted to spend some time there.
If nothing else, I've always wanted to spend some time there.
Written By Tobias
July 26, 2017, 8:54 a.m.(11/26/1006 AR)
I always thought the first rule of being a mercenary leader was take care of your men, followed by be greedy within reason.
Can't very well foster good relations with clients if they don't have good references for you, after all.
Can't very well foster good relations with clients if they don't have good references for you, after all.
Written By Tobias
July 6, 2017, 12:51 a.m.(10/14/1006 AR)
Just a frigging minute.
A human can die and be reborn into a Nox'Alfar body? My men at the Night Grove *watched* her be used for their ritual, so I know she died. How.... how does that even work? Nekkaris is dead, now she isn't?
The more I know about our new allies, the more it becomes clear how much we've lost.
A human can die and be reborn into a Nox'Alfar body? My men at the Night Grove *watched* her be used for their ritual, so I know she died. How.... how does that even work? Nekkaris is dead, now she isn't?
The more I know about our new allies, the more it becomes clear how much we've lost.
Written By Tobias
June 15, 2017, 12:40 p.m.(8/26/1006 AR)
Well, that was certainly an interesting fight. Some burns, some slashes, but not a single Crimson Blade dead.
I really hope the next Inquisition contract doesn't involve sudden storms, though.
I really hope the next Inquisition contract doesn't involve sudden storms, though.
Written By Tobias
May 30, 2017, 3:36 a.m.(7/21/1006 AR)
Someone complained about a charity auction by willing participants who were happy to do it and were protected by Compact law from actual slavery?
You learn something new everyday.
You learn something new everyday.
Written By Tobias
May 28, 2017, 11:24 p.m.(7/18/1006 AR)
Relationship Note on Mathias
He was once a promising recruit for the Crimson Blades. When we did our initiation with him, he passed all the tests with excellence, so I was looking forward to teaching him the basics of our organization and see him rise in the ranks.
Then his family was murdered during the Boroughs rioting, and he left us shortly after. Understandable; he probably felt lost after that, and he joined us for the money.
When I first heard he had joined the Knights, I was happy he had found direction... but now I can't help but think that if I had tried to convince him to give us another chance, he might still be alive.
I find peace in the fact that he chose his fate, and probably fell defending travelers as the Knights of Solace mean to do. We should all be so lucky that we die fighting for our ideals.
Then his family was murdered during the Boroughs rioting, and he left us shortly after. Understandable; he probably felt lost after that, and he joined us for the money.
When I first heard he had joined the Knights, I was happy he had found direction... but now I can't help but think that if I had tried to convince him to give us another chance, he might still be alive.
I find peace in the fact that he chose his fate, and probably fell defending travelers as the Knights of Solace mean to do. We should all be so lucky that we die fighting for our ideals.
Written By Tobias
May 7, 2017, 3:03 p.m.(6/3/1006 AR)
I'm not a stranger to war, with my profession. I've led assaults, holding actions, skirmishes. The Crimson Blades are well trained and handle themselves well.
This was my first major siege though. Literally watching the endless hordes of Brands slaves continue to meet us on the Ramparts, I was expecting us to fall back to the inner Gate eventually. The Crimson Blades are some of the best soldiers in the Compact... but a horde of that size is just a grinder. I'm very proud of the job the Crimson Blades did against that horde. We trained as well as we could for battle on the Ramparts, and I think it paid off, since we only lost a third of each Company in the fighting.
I consider that a minor miracle, and a testament to what a disciplined unit can endure.
Now though, is a time for mourning, rebuilding, and recovery.
I salute each and every man and woman in the Crimson Blades, and those who fought alongside us.
This was my first major siege though. Literally watching the endless hordes of Brands slaves continue to meet us on the Ramparts, I was expecting us to fall back to the inner Gate eventually. The Crimson Blades are some of the best soldiers in the Compact... but a horde of that size is just a grinder. I'm very proud of the job the Crimson Blades did against that horde. We trained as well as we could for battle on the Ramparts, and I think it paid off, since we only lost a third of each Company in the fighting.
I consider that a minor miracle, and a testament to what a disciplined unit can endure.
Now though, is a time for mourning, rebuilding, and recovery.
I salute each and every man and woman in the Crimson Blades, and those who fought alongside us.
Written By Tobias
April 29, 2017, 11:30 p.m.(5/14/1006 AR)
Relationship Note on Lazarus
A sad way to go out.
Written By Tobias
April 21, 2017, 4:58 a.m.(4/23/1006 AR)
Golden Hart tournaments have a nice atmosphere.
Not enough restriction for the contestants, though. Allowing a bench to the head? That's asking for serious damage, even first week Crimson Blade initiates know that.
Could be the Prince felt it was a lesson?
Wasn't my contest, but anyone who tries that on me gets a punch to the head. See how they like it.
Not enough restriction for the contestants, though. Allowing a bench to the head? That's asking for serious damage, even first week Crimson Blade initiates know that.
Could be the Prince felt it was a lesson?
Wasn't my contest, but anyone who tries that on me gets a punch to the head. See how they like it.
Written By Tobias
April 16, 2017, 8:15 p.m.(4/14/1006 AR)
I've been listening to the rumors about the surrender terms Brand gave while I've been on patrol.
You have to admit, the lack of self-awareness would be almost hilarious, if you didn't know the thing was insane to begin with.
Surrender and be unmade, or continue fighting and suffer cruelly.
Like this siege isn't causing us all to suffer already.
You have to admit, the lack of self-awareness would be almost hilarious, if you didn't know the thing was insane to begin with.
Surrender and be unmade, or continue fighting and suffer cruelly.
Like this siege isn't causing us all to suffer already.
Written By Tobias
April 9, 2017, 6:21 a.m.(3/27/1006 AR)
For the confused out there; while being mercenaries means the Crimson Blades work for the highest bidder... that doesn't mean we take suicidal contracts.
Our job is to fight your wars for you, not to die in your wars for you. Most of us do not have a death wish; we get into this profession for all kinds of reasons... and if a death wish is one of them, expect your silver to be thrown away. I'm perfectly happy with directing war efforts myself... or leading the Crimson Blades under another General. I've done both in my time as Lord General.
We are, as I speak, patrolling the walls and the river and docks with five hundred of our personnel for our client. I expect them to be there until the siege ends. This doesn't mean they expect to die defending those places. In fact, they have orders to fall back and regroup to wait for backup if the enemy employs overwhelming numbers.
Their job is to fight the war, not to die in it.
Our job is to fight your wars for you, not to die in your wars for you. Most of us do not have a death wish; we get into this profession for all kinds of reasons... and if a death wish is one of them, expect your silver to be thrown away. I'm perfectly happy with directing war efforts myself... or leading the Crimson Blades under another General. I've done both in my time as Lord General.
We are, as I speak, patrolling the walls and the river and docks with five hundred of our personnel for our client. I expect them to be there until the siege ends. This doesn't mean they expect to die defending those places. In fact, they have orders to fall back and regroup to wait for backup if the enemy employs overwhelming numbers.
Their job is to fight the war, not to die in it.
Written By Tobias
April 1, 2017, 6:06 a.m.(3/11/1006 AR)
Relationship Note on Silas
I don't think I'll ever know exactly why Everard decided to become... what he became... but Silas is as worthy a successor to the Lord Commander title as most anyone could have asked for, by my estimation.
Working with him during the time leading up to the battle of Pride Hall while the Crimson Blades were Iron Guard Auxillaries was enjoyable, and he didn't try to keep us longer than he needed to. I'd be happy to work with him again as it comes up during the siege.
Working with him during the time leading up to the battle of Pride Hall while the Crimson Blades were Iron Guard Auxillaries was enjoyable, and he didn't try to keep us longer than he needed to. I'd be happy to work with him again as it comes up during the siege.
Written By Tobias
March 30, 2017, 4:05 p.m.(3/8/1006 AR)
Now that the Crimson Blades are patrolling the Ramparts and riverside, I've been able to spend a lot more time in Arx proper, helping the boroughs in their hunts.
I knew that some Bringers are tougher than others, but Gods above, the one I fought at the graveyard might as well have been built out of Alaricite for how long that duel lasted. In the end, it took a small village to bring that thing down.
A word of advice to anyone who hasn't fought a Bringer of Silence yet; Some are a lot more durable than others. If you aren't prepared for that, bring friends.
I knew that some Bringers are tougher than others, but Gods above, the one I fought at the graveyard might as well have been built out of Alaricite for how long that duel lasted. In the end, it took a small village to bring that thing down.
A word of advice to anyone who hasn't fought a Bringer of Silence yet; Some are a lot more durable than others. If you aren't prepared for that, bring friends.
Written By Tobias
March 27, 2017, 12:27 p.m.(3/2/1006 AR)
So it has begun.
When I first accepted our main contract, I figured we'd be defending Arx against the occasional skirmish for the most part. Siege was a possibility, but unlikely given the army was only 20000 strong with no real archer or cavalry support.
Then I heard we had four more coming for us, and I knew a siege was inevitable. The Compact has great military leaders, and have shown it with the near destruction or two columns and the crippling of another... but when your enemy is so completely controlled to make morale a non-issue and the numbers they have... It was a matter of when, not if, a siege would take place.
I am happy to say that the Crimson Blades did their part preparing the outskirts for the inevitable, and that the Crimson Blades did their job well at the First Battle of Arx. Many routed, but many more held firm. I'm proud to say that the Crimson Blades never faltered, and that we had only minor injuries from the holding action at the Gate, even until the end when we wheeled around and skewered numerous Bringers in one hit.
The Compact can be proud of their sons and daughters. We held the line, and Arx survives.
Now comes the hard part... the waiting, and the infiltration.
When I first accepted our main contract, I figured we'd be defending Arx against the occasional skirmish for the most part. Siege was a possibility, but unlikely given the army was only 20000 strong with no real archer or cavalry support.
Then I heard we had four more coming for us, and I knew a siege was inevitable. The Compact has great military leaders, and have shown it with the near destruction or two columns and the crippling of another... but when your enemy is so completely controlled to make morale a non-issue and the numbers they have... It was a matter of when, not if, a siege would take place.
I am happy to say that the Crimson Blades did their part preparing the outskirts for the inevitable, and that the Crimson Blades did their job well at the First Battle of Arx. Many routed, but many more held firm. I'm proud to say that the Crimson Blades never faltered, and that we had only minor injuries from the holding action at the Gate, even until the end when we wheeled around and skewered numerous Bringers in one hit.
The Compact can be proud of their sons and daughters. We held the line, and Arx survives.
Now comes the hard part... the waiting, and the infiltration.
Written By Tobias
March 26, 2017, 10:34 a.m.(2/27/1006 AR)
The attack on the docks wasn't surprising; those in the Outskirts have been collapsing and reinforcing the catacombs outside the walls, so it only makes sense they'd try to get around the walls and try to get into them. We stopped them, despite the damage done.
I'm more worried about the implications that these Bringers are capable of deception to fool the dockworkers into not raising the alarm initially... and the fact that they're capable of commanding ships.
This siege is going to be a lot harder than I thought it would be.
I'm more worried about the implications that these Bringers are capable of deception to fool the dockworkers into not raising the alarm initially... and the fact that they're capable of commanding ships.
This siege is going to be a lot harder than I thought it would be.
Written By Tobias
March 10, 2017, 1:37 p.m.(1/24/1006 AR)
Relationship Note on Staci
Didn't expect to see her again after I heard her village was destroyed by Brands horde. She doesn't have much left though, so I was happy to give her the news that she can work for the Crimson Blades. We recently had our Quartermaster retire anyway, so she'll make an excellent replacement.
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