>>5367385“Superior One…” he hesitates, expression registering doubt.
“Speak your mind,” you permit him.
“Do you not think such a large number of slaves—including males, warriors, leaders—might be difficult to manage, with our current numbers here? The dwarves in that fort, combined with the dozen-or-so captured in our first raid, will number almost as many as the fully-grown kobolds, but they lack the kobolds’ natural fear.”
“Then we will teach them fear,” you assert, “or they will go, fearlessly, to their weakling False Gods.”
The Thief bows his head, agreeing with your wisdom and thanking you for the mask, and for the opportunity and responsibility you have given him.
“Oh,” you belatedly add, “and… Keep an eye on the Herbalist. Ensure she has no… second thoughts.”
This, too, the Thief affirms he shall do. He leaves, and you feel a weight settle upon you—a mantle of leadership and responsibility, heavy with the dread that you have made a wrong call.
What will you command that the rest of your forces do in the meantime?
>Rest, stay vigilant, and prepare to make the capture when the dwarves come marching out>Begin scouting the other dwarf fortresses, and observing enemy movements>Reach out to the human lands below, assuming dwarven disguise and making inroads to trade for further food and other useful goods with your repatriated mineral wealth>Study the language and culture of your dwarven captives, to better know the enemyFor your part, you have journeyed long. You have been assailed by expectations and driven by ambition to answer this call… But tiredness takes you again. Rest is not weakness—it is a necessary precondition for success. How do you spend your time before torpor?
>With the Novice, in her chamber of work-and-rest, catching up n how her studies and experiments have progressed (and just enjoying her long-absent company)>Enjoying dinner and a ‘meal’ with Davora the Herbalist—she is an excellent bed-warmer, and further seduction can only make her more loyal>With the Bastard, meditating on matters draconic>With Karz Throat-singer, practicing your swordcraft and aiding him in his continued efforts to learn spellcraft>Alone, in prayerful meditation>Write-in>>5367373Oops, sorry, JUST missed yours. 