>>814516
an easy wayto do it would be to swarm a group with minions and then simply blink next to people and use drain light on them, raising the corpses with the now stolen souls. a few minutes of that and they should all be dead with little real risk. as for the bandits giving away your cover, it is quite unlikely that the townsfolk would listen to accusations made by the people who have been preying upon them against someone who is helping them and even if the lantern is exposed i would doubt that anyone without a strong magical education would have the slightest clue what it is

rolled 3 = 3

---

I decide to strike against the bandits now. It is dark enough to mask my presence, and though my magic may give me away, I don't plan on allowing any to escape me tonight. If one does, I shall have to deal with what comes. I direct my minions towards the campsite, then blink my way ahead of them, stopping myself a far enough distance to avoid any danger of being seen too early. A short wait later and my dead menagerie catches up, and I use my scouting bird once more to carefully select a target. One of the fires is surrounded by the most, what I could reasonably be assured is the leader and his group, of which they number some 11 souls, all told. The other two fires are surrounded by smaller groups, one of 5 and one of 4. I carefully select the most isolated target from the smallest group and blink next to them, crouched low in hopes of avoiding attention. I reach forth and place my hand against the man's face, then enact the spell.

It is like nothing I could have ever thought of. The man doesn't even wake, even as he lets out one last gasp of breath. Light travels through my hand and up my arm, and with it a feeling of warmth and vitality I did not know I was missing. My whole body glows dimly for a moment, before the light leaves me once more and drains into the Lantern, which I can feel rather than see brighten at this offering of light. All of that, and not so much as a rustle of activity from those around.

I manage two more in a similar fashion before reaching the final member of this particular fire pit, though neither one makes the Lantern feel any... fuller. As my hand touches the final man's face he jerks awake, eyes wide as he stares at me in surprise. I instinctively pull with my magic, draining the light from him, but while the others were quite gasps and sighs as their breath leaves them, this man screams in terror as he feels life drain from his body. The sound rouses the other two camps, and I react quickly, order my minions to begin their assault even as I call to the 4 corpses I've made, feeling the Lantern drain once more and the once dead men rising sluggishly from their brief rest.

Shouts are already going out among the bandits, but it is likely they will have to take at least a few moments to waken fully and gather their arms. Now is the best time as any to strike.

How shall I direct my minions?
>Undead Menagerie(Swarm)
>1 Skeleton(Fast, Fragile)
>4 Zombies(Slow, Resilient)

>Enemy Count
>16 Bandits(Unknown Strengths)

>Roll D20 with any battle plan

rolled 1 = 1

---

>>814791
have the zombies attack the campfire with 5 bandits from the front, when they are engaged flank the group with the skelleton and have it start killing them from behind.
while this is happening have the menagerie go for the larger group to distract them by attacking the eyes if possible, they wont do much damage but they are small and fast so they should be hard to kill.
you should provide ranged fire on anyone who seems to be holding their own and use blink and drain light to kill anyone who gets isolated.
once the group of 5 is dead you should raise those corpses too and then swarm the survivors with the zombies while the menagerie distracts them.

rolled 15 = 15

---

>How shall I direct my minions?
Have the swarm hit them from the opposite side as the zombies to distract the bandits and give the slower zombies a chance to close and start a slug-fest. Skele is on ambush strikes. You are to stay well out of the fight, except to occasionally toss in a magic missile where it counts, or as a distraction, or to give the skele attacks of opportunity.

Raise any who fall.

rolled 8, 18 = 26

---

>1
My feel myself freeze, mind racing to catch up with everything going on at once. The undead that surround me seem to emulate this, hesitating in their actions, instead of striking swiftly as I need them to.

>3
Luckily, perhaps, the bandits seem just as capable of acting quickly. While some have managed to both rouse and arm themselves, they seem uncertain as to what they should be doing. The rest are still pulling themselves to their feet, trying to shake sleep from limbs and minds.

>15
I overcome my own hesitation first, enforcing my will even as I blink into the treeline, hoping I'd avoided being spotted. At the same time, the undead swarm pour from the surrounding woods. There aren't a lot of them, but it does seem like I'd raised more along with the zombies. The bandits find themselves quickly trying to fend off an uncaring mass of dead flesh and skeletons, and that seems to do little to aid them in getting organized. A few of those still trying to get up are hit the hardest, and I can feel death claim them as the swarm bites at exposed necks or pecks at eyes.

The zombies shuffle forward. They are slow and cumbersome in movement, but they do reach the circle of bandits. Those bandits shrink back from them in surprise, and I can hear a few trying to call out to the deceased in confusion. This does little to save the first man they come across, whom they descend upon with what might be called enthusiasm if they were still capable of emotion. They beat the man to death with fists, clubbing him over and over till he lies motionless on the ground, blood everywhere. The display sends a wave of panic through the enemy, but they still hold.

The skeleton sticks to the outer edges, just out of sight among the trees. It focus most of its attention on the group of 5, one of which has died to the swarm as he tried to rise. A second is found vulnerable, what was once a raven pecking at his eyes, and the skeleton closes its bone hands around the man's throat before he has a hope of seeing it coming, choking the man. The sight of it sends the 3 remaining of the group into varying states of panic, with one even freezing stock still in horror as he watches the scene.

Still, even as I watch my minions begin their work, the bandits begin to rally. Among the main group a man stands out, dressed in hardier gear, bearing sword and shield. His shouts seem to give direction to the men where there is none, and they form a circle of defense around him. If I had to guess, he is the leader of this little band. Even as I raise those slain as more zombies, they hold, though they are clearly nervous and frightened.

How shall I direct my minions?
>Undead Menagerie(Swarming two men)
>1 Skeleton(Choking a man)
>7 Zombies(Ready)

>Enemy Count
13 Bandits(3 Incapacitated)

>Roll D20 with any battle plan. First post roll an additional D20

To begin with you should use drain light to finish off the incapacitated bandids if you can do so safely. You should have your minions grap whatever weapons are available starting with the skelleton.

After that the leader needs to die. At this point if you were able to finish off the incapacitated you should have 10 zombies and a skelleton while the enemy will have 10 bandits. Having equal numbers means that you can surround their circle and press inwards forcing them into a tighter formation and making it difficult to take a proper swing.

At this point it is simply a matter of attrition, somthing zombies do very well at. Have the birds go for the eyes while the land animals go for the legs. You should personally see if you can blink somewhere that lets you look down on them and use that height to fire magic missiles at the leader. With this you should be able to finish them quickly.

Remember though if it becomes apparent that you are going to lose then you should retreat and preserve as many minions as possible for later attacks

rolled 1, 16 = 17

---

Forgot to roll

rolled 9 = 9

---

Use blink to get somewhere unnoticed with one of your zombies, then give a girlish cry and order the zombie to pretend-attack you. How many bandits will come to your aid is unknown, but if even one breaks formation it will decrease unit cohesion and leave the group open to attack.

>clubbing him over and over
Maybe you should have had them draw the weapons they held in life. Blades without skill but with strength would still be more dangerous than mere fists, wouldn't they? Question for another time, perhaps.

>>815108
This seems like a good plan. A coordinated attack, and an intervention to distract the leader and prevent him from directing his troops effectively.

>>815179
This is a bad plan. Don't do that. It exposes you, and costs momentum, for the dubious advantage of trying to gain the sympathies of bandits for an unknown woman. When they know their shouldn't be anyone else near their camp, and they may have seen you before you blinked out before.

rolled 12, 11 = 23

---

>1
My directions are followed, however the undead servants at my command find it difficult to collect up proper weapons themselves. I abandon the attempt, instead having them surround the enemy to keep them contained. My own contribution is lacking, and within the flickering fire light I fail to spot any branches that might be able to hold my weight easily. Nor, through the combined bodies of the surviving bandits and my own undead, can I find a clear shot at the leader. I shall have to find some other way to contribute to this fight.

>8
The bandits rally visibly with their leader barking orders, calling upon Valor to guard them against the fell forces that stand against them. I doubt Valor can hear them, and if he does he offers them no tangible aid. Still, the words seem to offer comfort to the men, and they actually manage to fend of the zombies with relatively little difficulty. It would seem, at least for now, that they will be able to hold. For how long remains to be seen.

>16
Regardless of the effectiveness of the zombies in combat, they do provide a good obstruction. Two of their fellows are still attempting to fight off the swarms of creatures that plague them, as well as the skeleton's victim. It is a simple matter to blink from my hiding spot and brush my hand against them, pulling the light from their bodies. Only the first seems to fill the Lantern, for reasons I can't fathom, but it is during the third that I catch sight of a figure, crouched within the shadows of the leader. They are slimmer than those that surround them, and a piece of cloth covers their face from casual inspection. Still, something about them marks them as dangerous, as while the others are clearly still frightened, this figure is calm and watchful.

>18
Perhaps too watchful. Their eyes meet mine suddenly, as if they felt my gaze upon them. For a moment, I freeze, expecting a shout of alarm, or at least an attack. Instead the figure simply turns their attention elsewhere, apparently content to leave me be.

I'm not certain what to make of this, and blink back into the treeline before risking further exposure. From there, a pulse of raise dead once more, calling to the fallen bodies to rise and serve. Only one rises to my call, whilst the other remains steadfastly dead. The Lantern rattles slightly, and from it I get the feeling that I've gained as many undead servants as I can hope to control at my current strength. An excellent thing to find out in a relatively safe encounter. Already, the undead swarm of beasts is redirecting towards the circle, and should arrive swiftly, and the skeleton, more dexterous and quick than its clumsier brethren, easily scoops up a fallen sword, neatly arming it. The leader, however, remains a problem.

How shall I direct my minions?
>Undead Swarm(Moving to Defenders)
>1 Skeleton(Armed, Ready)
>8 Zombies(Ready)

>Enemy Count
>Bandit Leader
>9 Bandits
>Mystery

>Roll D20 with battle plans

>>815460
The mysterious figure may not be an enemy as they are not attacking and they were not there in the begining. Do not act against them unless they act against you, the last thing we want is an enemy that didnt have to be.

If none of the branches can hold your weight then find the one in the best position and cast hold on it, under the effects of the magic is should hold your weight and you can give ranged support.

Have half the swarm attack the leader while the other half attack the bandits on the outside of the circle attempting to break their footing

You need to have the zombies tighten the noose, have them push forwards agaibs the bandits forcing them toards the middle of the circle as hard as they can, the smaller the circle the less bandits can fight at the same time and if you get it small enough they wont even have space to swing their weapons, potentialy you might even be able to crush those in the middle under the weight of their comrades. This is why enciclement is so effective as a tactic even when severly outnumbered, the bandits made a mistake taking the formation they did

While the zombies are pushing have the skelleton move around the circle trusting its sword into the gaps between zombies and over their shoulders. This will allow it to stay out of enemy range while stabbing unprepared bandits that were focoused on the zombies.

While you may not yet be able to raise a full army you can still raise new minions as old ones fall, dont forget to keep your forces full.

Lastly, keep a very careful eye on the new figure but avoid attackin unless they attack first

Forgot to roll again

rolled 8 = 8

---

Typed it wrong

rolled 8 = 8

---

Don't engage the mystery figure as long as it stays out of the fight. We have enough trouble without drawing in forces that might not be hostile, or at the very least, that are choosing not to fight back. Keep an eye on it though, lest you be surprised.

One way to take the leader by surprise might be having a part of the swarm attack him directly from above. No time to look up, and even if he doesn't die, impeding his vision or ability to give orders might make a difference. Or distract him long enough for you or other dead to strike.

Taking out the fires might help too. The dark will impede the living more than the dead.

>Double 8's
I watch as my minions surround them, push them closer to gather, uncaring for what someone alive might consider a wound. Around the circle the skeleton stalks, bone grin being the last thing a few of them see before a blade paints the soil sanguine. With the ever fewer numbers, the zombies simply push forward, forcing the circle ever tighter. Without the room to move properly, the bandits find it more difficult to defend themselves properly.

I only contribute to this. I quickly blink to the two exposed fires and kick dirt over them, plunging the area into darkness. Only the flickering of the last fire keeps it from being total darkness, but that does little to steady those remaining. I find a suitable vantage point, then cast Hold upon it before blinking up, testing it. The spell holds the branch in place, but I can feel it draining me rather quickly, but it does afford me a good view of the battle.

My swarm darts between the defenders, seeking out their leader and harassing him without restraint. The man shouts, imploring someone by the name of Jackel to help him. The figure crouched behind him spares a glance, but seems rather uninterested in the proceedings. Instead, after a pause, the figure stands and jabs a blade through the man's chest, cutting off the man's voice and pushing him into the horde of creatures himself.

"We surrender!"

The voice is clear, loud, and much calmer than someone being assaulted by the undead has any right to be. Still, the figure, Jackal I suppose, is staring directly up at me on my perch.

The fight, it would seem, could be over if I so willed it to be so. Of course, they are bandits, and even if I accepted their surrender, there is still the matter of them knowing about me and my ability.

>What shall I do?
>1 Undead Swarm
>1 Skeleton
>8 Zombies

>Enemy Count
>Jackal
>5 Bandits

1) Order the bandits to lay down their arms, get on their knees, and put their hands over their heads, or you will get kinky and drain the life out of all of them with swords up their asses.

2) Convince the bandits to join your cause. Sure, you just murdered their team and host a giant swarm of terrifying plague-bearing murder-machines. But they know you could make them filthy rich and surrounded by zombie slaves. You need lieutenants to maintain and give unit cohesion to the zombies. You can always kill them later if they prove incompetent.

3) Take out the Jackal, it's clear that he's going to betray you.

rolled 14 = 14

---

>Still, the figure, Jackal I suppose, is staring directly up at me on my perch.
Some kind of sensory ability, I would assume. Mortal eyes, unaided, shouldn't have been able to keep track of you in the dark, especially blinking, and with a battle in the way.

>kills his own apparent ally and then offers to surrender
Huh. I don't trust that at all. This person is dangerous, methinks.

I was hoping to recruit someone with some social connections, and/or a mage, but this Jackal might be capable enough for a vampirism candidate.

>what do
Okay, a few considerations.

The first is that we don't know how tough this Jackal is. If we force a confrontation by continuing the battle, we might regret it. We really aren't that tough in the grand scheme of things.

Second is what kind of person you want to be. Do you really want to be the kind of person who cuts down even those who surrender?

Third is what story gets told. If the townspeople (and you) find this battle site tomorrow, it might be misinterpreted as the bandits fighting among themselves (assuming your surviving minions clear away any fallen swarm, or the skeleton). Survivors could contradict that.

Also, what are you supposed to do with prisoners? This is a stealth mission, they can't come back with you!

>what do
Have the dead all stop what they're doing. Freeze. Let the pause and silence draw out long enough to make the surviving bandits uneasy.

Then have all the dead raise their arms in one direction, pointing away from town.

"Leave. And never return."

>>815804
Honestly it depends on what kind of bandits they are. If they are slavers, rapists, unrepentant murderers of the innocent, if they wouldent accept the surrender of a caravan that they were attacking, then simply tell them they do not deserve mercy and kill them.

If they are simply people trying to survive and take money and goods while trying not to cause too much violence then let them go but be creepy about it.

If you have no idea what kinds of crimes they commit then its best to simply let them go, we want to be consistant with our killings and its a little early to just kill because someone annoyed you and it cowardly to kill someone because they know what you can do. Even if they do run around telling people what they saw anyone who matters is just going to think that they dont want to admit they were beaten by a bunch of villagers and are making it up

Either way you should spare jackal. mask your face and voice as best you can and start the conversation by asking who they are and why they are here. Their lack of fear suggests that they are a serious threat even now so it would be smart to find out as much as you can

The undead halt at my command, freezing in place instantly. The bandits seem incredibly uncertain as to what to do about this, but Jackal smiles, clearly content with the outcome.

"See, that's clear thinking. Now, I'm thinking we could make a killing off of your... uh... friends. Couple of towns, and we'd have gold to last us months!"

I find this one's tolerance and sense for gold amusing, if nothing else. I don't think it says much for his loyalty, however, or even if he has any worth speaking of. Not to mention the fact he stabbed his supposed leader in the back. Still, anyone who can track a blinking target in the dark must be worth something. Perhaps it would be best to at least consider the possibility.

Still, they are of Valor, they seek conflict to test themselves and earn his favor. Simply letting them leave may lead to some other town being assaulted. Though, they may at least return to Valor itself before engaging in such activity. It is difficult to be certain.

My inaction and lack of response to his words seems to put a spear of doubt into Jackal, for he continues, with a little less gusto than before.

"Right, well, I mean... maybe you don't want to go raiding? Uh... maybe I can do something else for you, in exchange for us just leaving? I know some people in some places, you know. Might be able to move your, uh... friends... around without attracting any attention? Or maybe you're looking for easy access to corpses?"

"Jackal, whatcha doin?"

"Trying to get us out alive, shut up."

It would seem this Jackal is more use than as a simple bandit. Or at least knows of others that could be. This requires further consideration...

>What shall I do?

Teaming up with bandits to go raiding overtly would probably hasten your growth in power, but it would draw attention down on your head, and I don't think putting towns to the torch for personal gain was really your gameplan.

The later option, of connections, seems more attractive. Access to the underground networks of travel and information gathering used by thieves and outlaws could be very useful. As could be what passes for off-book corpses.

One important thing to note is that while this guys worship Valor for favor, they likely don't report to him, or take orders, in the same manner as the paladins, the church, or a religious order would. So long as you don't make the whole war on the gods thing clear, it's more than possible there are groups who would be willing to work with you, or who are unaware of the blasphemy your necromancy represents.

>>816003
even ignoring the ethical issues, engaging in banditry is below you. you are a necromancer. you have power over life and death. you are going to lead a great army of the dead to tear down the heavens and you are going to return the stars themselves to the sky. you should rule a city of the dead from a tower of bone. banditry is so far below you as to be laughable.

if you are going to let them go connections are going to be far more useful than gold and troops but there is another idea. question jackal on their skills and knowlage as if you are considering the offer of teamwork. if those skills prove satasfactory for a candidate then you can make your counter offer of vamparism for jackal. somthing like this . "How would you like to be ... better. Stronger, faster, more agile, .... immortal . Swear your life to me and i can grant you all these things". i cant imagine someone like jackal saying no to that. if vampyre lords can turn humans to lesser of their kind then jackal even gets a few servants of his own, if not, well a newly turned lord is supposed to be thirsty and im sure that jackal can find some use for them besides that.

dont worry to much about using the potion being a waste, you cant get more yet but it is better to use it and get poor results than to hang onto it forever when it could have helped if used earlier.

>>816030
Honestly, I'd prefer to feel Jackal out a little more before offering them the vial. I'd like to see if our initial impressions are actually backed up (bargaining for his life, he looks less impressive, now). Especially since once we make the offer, he's more prone to lying to inflate himself, and if we don't like what we hear, retracting the offer can basically only go badly.

We're also going to be stuck working with whoever we vamp for a while- personality matters. Someone who disagrees with us too much, we have to force to do everything and watch closely instead of being able to trust they'll act in our interests when they end up in cases or situations our orders didn't sufficiently cover.

I don't think Jackal is good enough to vampirize. He's just an experienced backstabber who knows a little more than the other bandits.

Don't let any of them leave. If they report back to Valor, they'll confirm and trace the magic residue back here.

>>816048
Thats why i said to question him befor making the offer. If it seems like you are just asking so you can decide between the allies or the contacts he probebly wont lie about himself especially if you threaten him with having his soul eaten if he lies and you find out about it.

If you like what you hear make the offer, if not dont. He never has to know you were contemplating it.

As for the bandits. If you do decide to make the offer they could be made into lesser vampires if not just send them on their way. Your lantern is filled to its current capacity and no one will believe a bunch of bandits raving aboyt the walking dead. They dont work for valour, they jyst come frim his lands where the culture us warlike, as low as they are they probebly have a greater chance of getting lost in a straight hall than they do of meeting valor or even anyone close to his rank.

Of course if jackals answers show the bandits to be unworthy of mercy and dont show the skill needed to fight you off they you should just finish them off. No sense wasting mercy on those who have none for others.

Also if there is something you can do to cjange your voice you should. Somthing deep and hollow or hissing and raspy, you want it intimidating. It would be pretty anticlimactic if after all that you spoke to them with the voice of an ordinary young woman.

I would very much like to somehow disguise my voice, however I have no reliable methods to do so. Nor do I have time to try and figure some way out. I shall have to make do with what I have, specifically my normal voice. I decide to drop from the tree as well, holding the spell on the branch was becoming too draining to bother continuing with, and my minions have caged in the bandits enough to be a minimal threat at best. The bandits seemed startled at my sudden appearance, but Jackal hardly reacts at all.

"And what exactly would your offer of alliance entail? Or these contacts of yours?"

"Interested?"

"I might be."

"Eh, close enough. Look, seeing as how you have these, um... whatever they are, I could see about making some easy coin for all of us. Threaten villages all along the edges of the five territories. Stay away from anywhere authorities might care to look. Might not even have to kill anyone, just show that we can, you know? Then we find somewhere out of the way and live it up like kings. No one the wiser."

I stay silent. I have little interest in becoming a bandit of any kind, and I have my own goals to accomplish. None of which are served by staying away from major cities, and the churches contained within them. Jackal seems to take this as a cue to continue.

"But uh, if that's not really something your up for, I can just contact a few people who might be willing to help you out. Gravediggers probably wouldn't mind you taking care of any corpses they dig up, and you can find em pretty much anywhere there's a graveyard. Like to keep their noses clean of any dirty business, but they don't ask questions when there's gold to be made.

"Same could be said for some of the plaguedoctors. Nice little group, them, real charitable. Proper healer's don't like going into the slums, after all, and every city has a slum. They've got their own less than wholesome members, and a few wouldn't mind transporting corpses around, so long as they get a reason not to mind it, anyway.

"Probably other ways I could help to, you know. Maybe find you a noble to follow around like a proper do- I mean, servant."

"Ah Five, she's a servant? We're screwed, Jackal..."

"I said shut it."

It would seem... prudent... that I break my habit of holding myself as I do. Still, he raises a good points, and while his offer of alliance is detestable, the services he could provide are more tempting.

"And you, Jackal? What would you bring to this table if we were to... ally?"

"Me? I'm a bandit. Fight for gold and glory and all that. I mean, sure, I've been around a little. Trained at one of the fencing schools back home. Like to think I'm halfway decent. But uh... not much more to tell."

>What shall I do?

Jackal isn't that smart, but chances are he will betray you when he thinks he can make a profit while you're distracted. First, ask about any extremely powerful lords or ladies who think they are untouchable. Then order the bandits to keep Jackal prisoner, they can switch back to him if you die but right now you have something bigger planned. Jackal will need to prove himself if you're to trust him, a few months of patience is enough. You're stealing lighthouses. Or blowing them up. Either way, there's a lot of profit to be had.

>>816376
Seems he is useless, a pity.
Honestly the offer of bandidtry is beneath you and those contacts he offers are not of much value either, its not like you need permission to taid a graveyard after all. If you dont want to kill them just laugh at the pathetic offer and send them to valor lands with the knowlege that if they return you will eat their souls.

On the other hand if compassion is not so important to you this would seem an excelent opportunity to expiriment with your lantern. You have privacy from prying eyes, security in the form of zombies and a few ... subjects to try new things on. Who knows, you might even get a new spell out of it

>>816376
I think you should accept the offer of contacts and connections. Overt banditry isn't your goal.

Don't think Jackal is worth vamping either.

Before you leave, your minions need to clean up any supernatural evidence (like say, members of the swarm cut down) so the scene will appear as if the bandits turned on each other when tomorrow's expedition finds this place. (The missing bodies of the bandits you zombied and spared will support this). You also need to take coin and valuables from the dead left at the scene to sell the ruse.

>>816376
The offers are both useless really and that offer of finding someone to serve is just insulting, you are a necromancer, you serve no one any more.

I say that you should kill jackal to make a point but let the rest go. Without a leader they are little threat to anyone and they definetly wont come back here after that display.

I affect an air of disdain about the whole affair, which to be fair isn't very difficult. All of his offers seem less than ideal. I could easily make contact with all involved if I wished it so, and could ingratiate myself to a noble more effectively than he ever could. The man known as Jackal, however, is far too dangerous and enterprising to simply allow to leave. With any sort of brains, he'd report me to the anyone for the promise of reward. That is unacceptable, particularly with my current state of power. With a flick of my will, the zombies descend upon the bandits who, having grown lax, put up no significant resistance. Suitably subdued, I step closer, eyeing them all with something akin to disgust.

"It would seem I have little use for you all, in the end. However... I am not unmerciful. You are to leave these lands, and never bother them again, or you shall face... dire consequences. Am I understood?"

All nod, the fear clear in the eyes. Another flick of my will and all are released. All except for Jackal. The fear quickly grows into unreserved terror, but his one time allies waste no effort disappearing into the surrounding woods, headed back towards Valor territory. All that leaves is the final fate of the man.

"P-please! I won't say a word. I-I swear! I'll do whatever you want!"

"Unfortuantely, your ambition makes you... untrustworthy. Know I take no pleasure in this. I only do what I must."

I reach forward and drain the man of his light, feeling no change in the Lantern at all. It would seem the artifact is in fact full. A curious thing, but good to know that it does have a limit on how much it can hold. I spend the next few minutes directing my minion in the task of removing any evidence of my being here, supernatural or otherwise. I take the time to personally loot what I can from the bodies, both dead and undead, coming away with a fair amount of coin. By my estimation, a peasant could live off of this amount for a month. That task done, and feeling weariness swiftly approaching, I am left with what to do about my creations. Not to mention what my plan is for dealing with tomorrow.

>What shall I do?

>>816869
Before anything else you should expiriment a bit with your abilities.
First have your minions kill a zombie and see if you can raise them. Next free up a spot and see what happens if you cocentrate all of your focus on raising a single body instead of a group, lastly expiriment a bit with operating swarm members individually.

Once you are done expirimenting have your minions go deeper into the woods and play dead, order them not to respond to anything. You can fetch them when you are leaving.

After that head back to town and get some rest, you earned it. Tomorrow you should go ahead with the bandit hunting mission, its to late to back out without being suspicious but the villagers should believe it was infighting. Lastly you should cast sight on a bird an have it follow the fleeing bandits for a while to ensure that they really are gone.

Test how long you can hold them up, but keep an eye on your upkeep. Once your lantern is drained to 80% from overuse of zombies, throw them into a kamikaze for food or some other productive self-destruct.

>I am left with what to do about my creations.
Stowing them somewhere with an order to play dead / do nothing until ordered should work.

>Not to mention what my plan is for dealing with tomorrow.
I think we go along with the group, school your emotions, and act wary and cautious, as a not-too-strong mage involved in a raid should be. Let the trackers and fighters reach their own conclusions when they find bandit camp with only dead men and empty pockets- let them think of it on their own, don't tell them the story you want them to believe.

Make sure your minions inflict fatal wounds on Jackal, or any like him, who you killed with your touch but did not raise. Dead men with no marks may raise questions.

Passive observation seems to yield that my undead minion don't seem to be placing any drain upon the Lantern, or at least none that I can feel. Other experiments soon follow, with mixed results. I can't seem to raise a zombie again once it has been killed, nor can I somehow focus the entirety of casting of raise dead into a single target. The spell itself seems to just give off a short range pulse, raising anything nearby up to my limit, which seems to still be ten. Or perhaps, ten units of things, though how it decides a unit is unclear, as my creature swarm is fairly large. I can easily control individual members as well, though I do find it easier to simply command all to move as a single horde.

With my short experimentation done, it is time to prepare for my return to town. I have the skeleton go around stabbing any body that is not already wounded in some way, whilst the zombies and most of the swarm is sent deeper into the woods, with the simple instruction to simply play dead until told otherwise. The skeleton follows them soon afterward. One of the swarm, a bird still capable of flight, is tasked with keeping an eye on the fleeing bandits, sight spell placed upon it so I can check on their progress, to ensure they leave as instructed. From there, it is a simple matter to return to town, blinking through the trees and open fields. I make it back to my room within ten minutes, pleased with the nights work, even as weariness creeps in. I am all too happy to greet my bed, temporary though it may be, once more.

---

The morning has proven itself to be as interesting as one might expect. I wake well rested, and descend to the main floor to be greeted with breakfast and the tense atmosphere of the town militia. Eating is a quiet affair, despite Maybell's attempts to lighten the mood. Soon, a small party of us is marching out into the woods, seeking the bandit's campsite. The trek moves quickly, the locals are familiar with the terrain, whilst I can make up for any lack of stamina with my magic, and we soon stumble across the camp. The sight of it is met with bewilderment and confusion by most, though the men are quick to search for signs of trouble. In the end, however, they find no signs of anything unusual, and only one conclusion remains plausible to them. Only Clark seems unconvinced, his eyes flickering to me for a brief moment before he directs the group back to town. It isn't till our return to the town, and Clark gives his report to the men and women of the town, that the subject is met with finality.

"Scum turned on each other. The rest seem to have fled. We ain't gonna have any trouble from them any longer."

A cheer erupts from the crowd, and though it is barely passed early morning, the townsfolk seem content to begin celebrating their good fortune, praising the Five and Wisdom in particular. I excuse myself from the general festivities, more interested in retiring somewhere quiet, but it would seem at least a few have other ideas. Clark finds me quickly, taking up a position close enough to be heard without making it seem like he truly is talking to me.

"Them bandits didn't seem the kind to turn on each other for a bit of coin. Seems a bit odd to me."

"I'm sure such individuals can't possibly be expected to act honorably."

"Might be that's true. Might also be a mage wandering bout at night took it upon herself to chase em off."

I turn to regard the man, but he keeps his gaze firmly on the celebrating townsfolk. It seems I will get no aid in deciding how I am to respond from him.

>What shall I do?

>Clark finds me quickly, taking up a position close enough to be heard without making it seem like he truly is talking to me.
Well at least he has the sense to confront you privately about his suspicions, instead of confronting you in front of the group. It might be possible to bring him into your confidence.

I'm... tempted to say yes without actually saying yes. Confirm his suspicions without copping to it.

>Might also be a mage wandering bout at night took it upon herself to chase em off.
"Perhaps one did. Although if she's not here taking credit for her deeds, perhaps she has reason not to want the attention.

"I, of course, would lack the power to accomplish such a feat by my lonesome."

It's a figurative nod and a wink, letting him know he's right and we'd prefer it not spread around. And if someone comes hunting this way for you later, asking questions, he's liable to remember what you did, and that you had some reason to lie low. Which might help you.

>>817354
This seems the appropriate response

"Perhaps one did, though I expect if she's not here taking credit for her actions, she has her reasons for not wanting attention.

"I, of course, lack the power for such a feat."

Clark remains silent for a few minutes, willing to simply watch the proceedings. After a few moments, however, he straightens, taking a few steps away before turning back to me.

"Well, I wouldn't rightly know. But if you see this mystery mage of ours, let her know she's got our gratitude."

Then he is gone, striding into the festivities and soon enough happily participating, drinking troubles and time away. I spend my own time on the outskirts, content to keep to myself and allow the village its fun. Within the hour, however, Maybell slips from the crowd, face tinged red from drink and cheer.

"There ya are. Seems we didn't need ya after all, eh? I ain't keen to see ya leave, but there's a cart headed out to Arcadia in a few minutes. Told em you might be wantin to tag along. Course, yer always welcome to stay..."

Once more, the offer is made, and once more it shall be refused. Still, there is the matter of when I should leave. I could go with this cart, and no doubt Arcadia will have far more to offer in goods and services. There is the matter of my undead servants, however. Doubtless they will be incapable of traveling the roads, for fear of discovery, and they certainly won't be able to enter Arcadia.

>What shall I do?

>>818154
I think, at the end of the day, any city is going to have its dead, and they won't all be neatly stored away in public cemeteries.

I think we can afford to leave the first batch where they are at the expense of moving forward.

Give them explicit instructions to protect the town. If there is a regime change, stand down and await further instructions.

>>818389
That seems like it would be counterproductive both to our efforts to avoid drawing attention, and to do right by this town. Mindless undead aren't good at context, leaving them to guard civilians indefinitely will go wrong eventually.

"I'll be leaving with the cart, I'm afraid."

"Shame, that. Best of luck to ya, anyway."

Maybell favors me with a smile before directing me to the town's main gate. I make my way there with the cheers of the townsfolk echoing around me, and I can't help the small smile that meets my lips. Soon enough, I am on the road, seated within the cart, watching the slowly passing countryside. My thoughts stray lightly to the undead I am leaving behind, instructed to simply act dead and remain in place. This will be an excellent test to see if distance effects my control of them, not to mention how time will drain the Lantern. All the remains is a hopefully quiet journey.

Pain sears my every thought and feeling, rips through my body, renders action impossible. Yet still, with the tortures of these cruel gods, I remain steadfast. I will not allow myself to break. Not here and not now.

I can feel the presence of one of them nearby. Whenever they enter my prison I can feel them. It was always to bring pain, or ask me questions I refused to answer. This one feel warmer, soothing in its strength. A cool hand cups my cheek, and the pain fades ever so slightly.

"To think, they would do this to you."

I knew this voice. Brief though it may have been, I've met her. Compassion. Always the most benevolent of the gods. In some ways, the most cruel, for she would guard humanity from all suffering, and deny us the power to rise above on our own power.

"Tis a small mercy you've been spared Justice or Resolve, if only for a short time. I only hope I can fix this."

And of course, her driving need to heal. She is fixing me, only so that I may be broken once more, even if that is not her intention. Still, I feel the pain fade further, bruises and cuts mending, broken bones becoming whole once more.

"You are so dead set against us, against giving them the answers they seek. I could take you from this place, shield you from them, yet you remain. Why?"

>Answer

"Because you refuse to see what you are.

Lessons must be relearned, re-applied, remembered and redeemed.

You think you are order incarnate. Unchanging. Immortal. You think your greatest weakness is anarchy.

You are simply wrong.

The cities you hold are constantly changing, even if you force their outward sprawl to look the same. Tyrants and heroes are replaced by further tyrants and heroes, each with their own agenda and impact on the world you've constrained.

And your greatest weakness is yourself. You've divided yourselves into purposes yet squabble and doubt one another. If you were divine absolution, you'd at least strive towards the same purpose. You point your troops at shadows in the dark and march them into each other to tear themselves apart.

So as long as you enact this comedy of civilization, I will PLAY. MY. PART."

>Why?
You know why. I swore an oath to the five in that lighthouse, and I meant what I said.

(You still cling to that purpose. That is all that you have, and it is enough).

"I swore my oaths, to you and to them, within that Lighthouse. I meant every word."

"Every word?"

"Yes."

"My oath is to provide for all. Yet your own to me seeks only to aid a single soul."

The fire and resolve within burns brighter at the mention of Her. She is everything, my reason to stand firm in my resolve. I will not surrender, not even to a god.

"She is anathema, now. Lost to us eternally, by your actions."

A growl of rage escapes me, and I feel the goddess retreat a little. She would speak falsehoods, all to weaken me. But I will not succumb, not to such transparent webs. My work was not for nothing. She dances among the heavens now, free of the trials of this hell that is life.

"Denying it will not make it false. Your own selfishness has damned her, and needlessly damned you as well. If you would but recognize that, I could redeem you, purge your soul of the shadows that hold it..."

I will not abide these slanders!

>Deny these Lies!

Just insult her with every taunt you've ever heard from your criminal targets.

"Shut your drooling CUNT, you INSUFFERABLE, MINDLESS, HORSE-@#$%ING, CUM-GUZZLING, URINE-SPATTERED FLIGHT ATTENDANT!!!"

Lost? She´s free of you and your pathetic squabbles between your kin.

They are fools to lie to you. Not when your oath is in effect, not when they are bound to you as you are bound to them.

>>821240
Lost to you? I brought her to the light. How dark must your own existence be, if you cannot see her shining? How deep a shadow your lighthouses must cast.

>>821240
You provide to all? To keep them weak and docile. Poisoned honey may be sweet but it is poisoned all the same.