/qst/ — Alterac Resurgent Quest 40

>>6421671 (OP)

Closing your eyes, you forgot to breathe. Your hand left the hilt of your sword as you finally took a deep breath. She was here, wasn't she?

“It's been a while.” You heard her voice to say behind you. “You have…”

She stopped as you raised your hand up to silence her.

“How many years has it been?” You faintly asked.

“Too many.” Was her answer.

You couldn't fight against the tears any longer and turned around. She just stood there, your older sister Beve Perenolde. With just a couple steps you reached her, wrapping your arms around her and pressing your head against her shoulder.

“There there…” Beve whispered as you kept sobbing.

Gently she held you there as you fought against the tears, slowly they started to dry and with another deep breath you got them back under control and you let go of her.

“What took you so long?” You asked her and continued. “And look at you, you haven't aged at all. Just wearing all black.”

Beve was wearing waist high black trousers tucked into knee high boots. The long sleeved black shirt and gloves hid the rest of her skin. Her long smooth black hair cascaded down her shoulders and a golden amulet with a blue gem rested on her chest. She looked quite like you, just a tad older.

“You know I couldn't just come here.” She lamented. “And I was going to say, you have grown. You have grown to be a handsome young man.”

“I am going to go and wake up the others…” You started to say.

“No!” Beve raised her voice and grabbed your hand. “They cannot know, no one else needs to know. Lord Falconcrest has no idea that I am here.”

“But…”

“No buts!” Beve finished. “It is already too dangerous for me to come here.”

“Can I even…”

“No, not even to your loved one.” She said and you had to relent.

“You know about Malevus?” You asked and were a bit baffled.

“Of course I do, the older sister knows about these sorts of things.” Beve said and smiled. “I watched her work earlier today, she is beautiful.”

It was Beve's turn to take a deep breath and the smile on her face disappeared.

“Alric, as much as I would love to ask you all the questions in the world, but my time is short.” She said.

“Right right, I don't want you to go either.” You replied.

“Lord Falconcrest's warning was meant to be public, he did it as a favour to me and for himself and he did not lie.” Beve spoke to you. “The Syndicate is in a precarious position, one wrong move from any of us and we could have a civil war in our hands.”

“That is why you are against the mission Eligius and Pai are on? To avoid the spark that would ignite the conflict.” You replied.

1/2

>>6421672

“Yes, that is why I pushed for the truce. The Syndicate needs to concentrate on itself and not on any outside threats, as long as that happens, everyone is more careful and avoids making the wrong moves.” She said and continued. “I am very happy King Terenas took the truce and you must have pushed for it. We need that time, all of us to get ready and be prepared for what is to come.”

“What are you even planning?” You asked.

Beve looked into your eyes and was silent for a second before she spoke.

“Fratricide.” She said.


>Beve is planning to kill Aliden? What has pushed her to it? Why hasn't she already done it?
>Eligius and Pai succeeding ruins her plans? Getting Alicia into safety is of utmost importance.
>What of Lord Creedy or Lord Falconcrest? How do they fit into this puzzle?
>Beve asked Falconcrest to deliver the message, what is her connection with him? Why would he do it for her?
>What can you do to help her?
>Other, write in

QM: 40 threads! What an accomplishment, I am feeling really happy for us to have gotten this far and I couldn't have done it without you my beautiful anons.

So as always, if you have any questions about the Quest, the characters, events or about me the QM, go ahead and ask them. I will try to answer them without revealing too much of what is to come.

File: 1780112172808816.png (2.94 MB, 1770x2536)

>>6421673
>Beve is planning to kill Aliden? What has pushed her to it? Why hasn't she already done it?
Well it was Aliden's suspected letter saying that as long as we didn't cross the border into Alterac proper we wouldn't be killed. But ofc we are going to so unless hes not a man of his word it is rather a one or the other kind of situation for Beve.

>Eligius and Pai succeeding ruins her plans? Getting Alicia into safety is of utmost importance.
How are they ruining her plans?

>What of Lord Creedy or Lord Falconcrest? How do they fit into this puzzle?
Does she really need Creedy alive, or just not killed by Eligius and Pai? Which pretty much just leaves Falconcrest who is openly feuding with Aliden.

>Beve asked Falconcrest to deliver the message, what is her connection with him? Why would he do it for her?
Why trust that you can ask favors of Faloncrest. As far as Alric is aware he was the main target at the Durnholde Winter Party, and by more than just one faction. Not to mention several fights lol.


>Other, write in
"I would never know the color of the rose under your magic. What if Creedy were a rose."

If few know where Creedy truly is how will most people know he is really dead and not some doppelganger stand in. As long as all the right people disappear with help, etc.. What if this is her chance to take over his faction. At the very least I want to hear if and why it couldn't happen like that. Especially given that they both think Eligius and Pai mission is basically not going to be stopped.


>What can you do to help her?
Very tentative, depending on what she has to say to other stuff. Plus I'm curious what she would ask for which could also tell us something.

>>6421673
>>Beve is planning to kill Aliden? What has pushed her to it? Why hasn't she already done it?
>>Eligius and Pai succeeding ruins her plans? Getting Alicia into safety is of utmost importance.
>>What of Lord Creedy or Lord Falconcrest? How do they fit into this puzzle?

>>6421758
Happy 40th my fellow

>>6421673
Oh right I did think of something the other day. Do Dark Irons have rune magic? Or have they given that up in favor of any other sorceries. Could be nice if the next influx of Dark Irons had someone who could make runes.

>>6421764
Happy 40th thread as well fellow anon !

>>6421673
>>Beve is planning to kill Aliden? What has pushed her to it? Why hasn't she already done it?
>Beve asked Falconcrest to deliver the message, what is her connection with him? Why would he do it for her?
>Eligius and Pai succeeding ruins her plans? Getting Alicia into safety is of utmost importance.

Glad you have made it this far Medivh, not many do.
I admire your dedication.

Happy anniversary my dear MedivhQM. Greta achievement and I enjoy this quest very much.
>>6421673
Firstly, what does she see as the civil war's triggers..
-Alric and his merry party running through Syndicate/Lordaeron territory?
-Alicia's abduction away from Creedy?
-The Alliance at large
-Some other existential threat like.. Orcs, Trolls, a Scourge?

What are the stakes of this civil war?
Will it end with the heads of the Syndicate leaders (Creedy? Aliden?), or will it spill over into this Alterac princedom or the Alliance?
Does Alric really care if it's an internal issue then? Sounds like dearest elder brother and sister have made their own beds.

What does she expect Alric to do about it?
Ignoring little innocent sister and letting her be a hostage and caught up in this war soon won't fly, and Beve's reassurances are moot.

For all her schemes and power, she cannot even keep ogres out of the capital.
TL;DR, she is shown to be ineffective and unable to keep the peace in her own backyard, why does Alric care for her schemes to protect Alicia, why would Alric support her?

>Also Kris Legace is awesome, you should give her a raise sis.
>Give FC sword training before he gets beaten -again- by Alric or Malevus. kek
>Eligius and Pai succeeding ruins her plans? Getting Alicia into safety is of utmost importance.

>>6422000
Just my thoughts

I believe Beve sees Alric's team killing Creedy as the main trigger. Stealing Alicia, she is the hostage that maintain the balance of the factions. I'm pretty sure Aliden gave Alicia to Creedy, if you make peace with someone giving them a hostage is the general practice I believe. Then as I see it the dominoes start falling.

Honour would dictate that Aliden and his Perenolde Loyalists Faction will have to take action against Creedy Faction (or formerly his if dead) for failing to protect Alicia as agreed, or he would lose face. So that would be Aliden going after a bunch of Creedy's stuff which he might want anyways to consolidate his power before someone else grabs them, and he might come into conflict with the Warlocks who are working with Creedy. Or with Falconcrest. I can hardly imagine a messier conflict than a bunch of angry unchecked warlocks in Strahnbrad City, next to a bunch of ogres and kobolds and Blackrock Orcs oh my.

But we also have the people who would want to strike against Alric for killing a Syndicate Lord. Not everyone wants to kill a Perenolde Prince such as the loyalists, Beve, and Aliden or Falconcrest (Beve's secret husband) up to a certain point. Anyone who thinks Creedy got what was coming to him for various assassination attempts. People who think there are bigger fish to fry like the actual Alliance or their own business ventures. These are some considerable grievances at odds with one another which could start quite a few fights and then more as it spreads, which it will as I see it.

Their entire plot centers on overthrowing the kingdoms to set the stage for a return of the Alterac Kingdom. If they took over Alterac now then the Alliance would come in and knock it down just like they did before. So presumably they have several plots already in motion to be activated on command, which the surge of syndicate forces Legace noticed in Stromgarde might indicate.

They have their tentacles, perhaps literally in the warlocks case, in quite a bit. Nobles, officers and merchants, anyone they could blackmail or coerce into action. Favors called in. Smugglers in who knows how many kingdoms. Mercs. Bandit gangs. City street gangs. Whatever it takes to actually bring down a kingdom. People agreed to leave the Capital City refugees numbering tens of thousands alone, but if agreements are torn up?

If everyone agreed the Truce is broken thats probably the time to hit the Alliance as well, a preemptive strike before they can do some damage? I'll admit that really depends on how they think. Success in destroying a kingdom could be the rallying cry that many Syndicate would flock to, which is a strong motivator for a lot of their actions so far. Get enough people and the other factions are also boned.

Of the entire family I'm pretty sure Alric loves Beve the most. Civil war is probably death, especially as she will also have to choose between Aliden and her husband Falconcrest.

>>6422014
>Their entire plot centers on overthrowing the kingdoms to set the stage for a return of the Alterac Kingdom. If they took over Alterac now then the Alliance would come in and knock it down just like they did before. So presumably they have several plots already in motion to be activated on command, which the surge of syndicate forces Legace noticed in Stromgarde might indicate.

Lapse in my memory that I forgot about the guys in Stromgarde or Capitol City. Makes a lot of sense that they're a sleeper cell.
Maybe the same with the former Alteracis in Southshore that Alric was dealing with and who stabbed Beric - Colonel Kavdan and Sergeant Benedict?

>Sergeant Benedict
Benedict is a large man with grey short hair and a burly moustache who previously served Kavdan. Now serving Alric Perenolde as a sergeant within his military. He is a thug through and through.
Uh oh. We now got a guy to investigate as part of Falconcrest's entrance.

>>6422025
No worries. Its a lot of strings to keep track of. Good opportunity to refresh my self as well.

>former Alteracis in Southshore
Hmm could be. There was a lot of Syndicate action in Southshore. Dream Dust dealer warlocks. Alteracis in the slums is a ripe target. The RD stationed there for them to infiltrate. Reginald didn't trust the local messenger system or even to send it with anyone else but Alric on a boat.

Surely not Benedict! Good ol Sergeant Benedict Arnold, no one would ever question his loyalty lol

“Hold on, fratri… are you planning on killing Aliden!” You asked and raised your voice a bit.

“He has… I don't know how to put it…” Beve started to speak.

“Start from the beginning, why would Eligius and Pai ruin all of this? Why would you even think about killing our brother?” You said and couldn't really believe what she had just told you.

“Lord Creedy has Alicia as his insurance, as his hostage. He loses her and suddenly he is weakest of the three factions. He has everything to lose. If he lashes out at Aliden, Falconcrest will see his opening to take Creedy out. If he lashes out at Falconcrest, Aliden removes Creedy as there's enough bad blood to fill Darrowmere between those two.” Beve told you and continued. “If Creedy is dead, his supporters will flock to Falconcrest who is…”

“Who is what?” You asked.

“He is young, very ambitious and hungry for power. If Falconcrest finds himself to be the strongest, he will deal with Aliden himself.” Beve told you.

“Isn't that your goal? To kill him?” You asked her back.

“Falconcrest cannot be the man who leads the Syndicate. He is too careless, you have seen how he does his operations. I have told him many times to temper his head, but without success.” Beve lamented.

“He nearly killed me with the poison…”

“I know…” Beve whispered back. “But Falconcrest, he can't lead us. His Syndicate would be strong and active, too strong for our neighbours. King Terenas wouldn't wait and he would just send Lord Uther and Silver Hand to destroy Alterac once more.”

“Uther has retired.” You said.

“Wait what? When?” Beve asked.

“In Stormwind, he used the last of his political capital, and chose to retire, leaving things for our generation.” You explained.

“I-I did not know that.”

“I invited him to Dawnholme.” You said.

“You did? But he…”

“Yes, he destroyed Alterac, but Lord Uther is someone whom I can trust. He is a good man.” You told her.

“I will take your word for it then.” Beve said and seemed unsure.

“So it has to be you?” You asked her.

1/3

>>6422231

“Perenolde killing a Perenolde, well it wouldn't look like that, he would die in a way that cannot be connected to me. Creedy would stay put as he would still have Alicia, Falconcrest wouldn't dare to act against me.” Beve told you. “I would have the men loyal to Aliden with me, I am a Princess after all, heir to the throne and not some Princeling beyond the mountains… besides…”

“Besides what?” You asked.

Beve shifted a little and pinched the bridge of her nose, it was her from which you had gotten that habit.

“He is my husband.” Beve said and sighed.

“Hold on.”

“Alric…”

“Your husband.”

“Little brother…”

“He tried to poison me and has tried to kill me a couple times since then. He tried to kill Malevus”

“I know!” Beve raised her voice again.

This time it was your turn to pinch the bridge of your nose.

“Alright so let me get this straight. You need the stability and balance from the truce to prevent the Syndicate civil war that seems to have just bad options available. Creedy dying would lead to Falconcrest winning in the end and that would be bad.” You said.

“I know my husband.” Beve said.

“Then why can't Aliden win? Why can't you just deal with Falconcrest somehow?” You asked.

“Because I haven't gotten close to Aliden in over a year. He has surrounded himself with ‘advisors’ and warlocks. We are only communicating through letters that are all opened nowadays.” Beve told you and lamented. “Hence I need the time to get everything ready, to even get close to him. I might be the spymaster of the Syndicate, but even I have my limits and Aliden, he has been needing me less and less lately.”

“And Aliden winning?”

“He would declare himself the King, but unlike Falconcrest he knows how to be careful. He would manage, he would plot and survive.” Beve said.

“But then why kill him? It can't be just warlocks, you have met Eligius and know about Wanz.”

“Because I fear it is either you or him.” Beve replied quickly. “Think about it. Creedy and Falconcrest keep up the balance by being threats against him, if they are gone who will remain? You.”

“And you as well.”

“He knows I would side with you in a heartbeat. He knows… how much I love my little brother, more than I do him.” Beve said and swallowed. “He would find a way to get rid of me.”

“Beve…”

2/3

>>6422234

“Alric, you would be the only threat remaining and I have seen your town. Dawnholme is a beautiful place, but unless you can somehow conjure together ten times the men you have right now, you have no chance of winning.” Beve told you and continued. “The Syndicate is strong if united, but if we are splintered like we are right now that just benefits all of us. You and me.”

“What if I were to kill him?” You asked. “Would they follow me then?”

“Creedy is loyal to himself first and foremost. He was our father's friend, but unless he had his leverage I don't see it.” Beve said.

“I am not going to give Alicia to her, or anyone else. Falconcrest?” You asked.

“He… he would bend his knee, but the moment you turn your back towards him, the daggers would be out.” Beve said and continued. “He is a complex person.”

“But you married him?”

“I do love him… I am sorry. We all have our weaknesses.” Beve lamented.

“What of the rest? The Alteracis, normal people, small folk?”

“Many would follow you and the longer you gather your strength, more likely that would be.” Beve said and continued. “But do we have the time? Most likely not. I would love to go through everything in more detail, but…”

“You are not supposed to be here in the first place.” You said.

Beve nodded and frowned.

“We will manage, I am resourceful if needed.” She said.

So much new information taken in at the same time. How much more does Beve know that she doesn't think is important right now? How much is there that she doesn't know or she has flawed info. You knew you could trust her that is for sure, but you also knew it would take you several days to digest all of this.


>If she thinks Eligius and Pai would ruin her plans, why didn't she stop them?
>Could she prop Creedy up or take over his faction to keep up the balance.
>What would she do if you were to kill Falconcrest, her husband?
>Beve should know about the orcs, they are on the move and planning on hitting the Internment Camps.
>But you do have the men in tenfold, well not men exactly, but you could have the Orcish Horde.
>In one year you will be officially in the Alliance, the Syndicate can't stand against the full might of the Lordaeron.
>Other, write in

QM: Intrigue! Alric needs a conspiracy board. And thank you for the nice words, 40 threads is a lot!

>>6422236
Congrats Medivh

>If she thinks Eligius and Pai would ruin her plans, why didn't she stop them?
>What would she do if you were to kill Falconcrest, her husband?


"What if I kill Aliden and hand leadership of the Syndicate to you?" Seems like it would solve most of these problems. Aside from ya know, Creedy being alive.

So theres a lot of distance between Aliden and Beve right now, but she still has a plan of how to kill Aliden and then take over his faction.

>Could she prop Creedy up or take over his faction to keep up the balance.

What would it take? I bet she knows where Creedy hides out, how many of his men would have to die to keep his death buried. Who his important officers are and their duties. Which ones can be bought, and which ones need to be replaced. She wears one veil already, whats another on top of it.

What happens if theres no plan around the aftermath of the Eligius and Pai mission? Beve says its civil war. So either make a plan that doesn't result in civil war, ask Alric to grow wings, or for something he can give to Eligius and Pai to stop them.


I'd go for the other options as well afterwards but hey whatever flows.

>In one year you will be officially in the Alliance, the Syndicate can't stand against the full might of the Lordaeron.
I mean thats the plan at least. It would be fun to see Thrall clear out Alterac, I just have a hard time imagining how that works out. I suppose times could be so chaotic that no one wants to leave themselves open.

>Beve should know about the orcs, they are on the move and planning on hitting the Internment Camps.

>Other, write in
Does she know that the Warlocks tried to make a Fel Pool in Durnholde Hills. It would have been their own personal army if they could control its fel juiced up warlord gnoll and the gnoll warlocks. But it could have blown up the camps which would be very much against current Syndicate goals. Might be useful info for her.


Maybe you could keep the telling her about the orcs planning to hit the Camps as an option for next update. I'd want to think on it some more but I have a few errands to run. More info can only help her I'd imagine. Plus its a significant thing considering their family history as Perenoldes. She could plan around the tremendous chaos of Thrall's liberation plan distracting people.

>>6422236
>but unless you can somehow conjure together ten times the men you have right now, you have no chance of winning.

We are able to remind Alliance that Syndicate control Andorhal, Strahnbrad and more with testimony from Raleigh to give a counter threat. Especially when the Alliance Naval Base that everyone is paying into within Hillsbrad might be jeopardised.. and then internment camps.

I don't think the implied threat is realistic, but a war of assassins definitely is a problem.

I don't know about tipping our hand, but Falconcrest has tried with us already..
>What would she do if you were to kill Falconcrest, her husband?
Will she retire to a country estate with her FC?
>Could she prop Creedy up or take over his faction to keep up the balance.
Let the bad blood continue?
>Beve should know about the orcs, they are on the move and planning on hitting the Internment Camps.
Do not mention Alric's meetings, but mention that one has already escaped which may be the start of many.

>>6422337
Back from errands.

Well they do have a shit ton of soldiers building up Strahnbrad and making real walls and gates. Just from a purely military perspective how many troops do you want to siege and assault a city with walls. At the same time a number of Keeps from which the enemy will probably be doing their best to hit your supply lines, which are also in danger of the ogres and orcs in Alterac.

So 10x might not be that much of an exaggeration to engage in actual warfare with the Creedy and the Syndicate as things stand? Plus assassin shenanigans.

You make a good point about just telling the Alliance to look into it. I don't know how much Raleigh personally has seen tho, we usually keep him out of the loop. So his testimony is that Alric told him so and so? Which still prompts the Alliance to send people to start their own investigation.

Silver Hand and whatever spare real military they have is busy up north killing trolls. The RD of north Lordaeron has been reassigned to work the orc camps to save money. So every force available might take a while before they can send anything down. Unless they raise more troops but no one wants to pay more taxes.

Plus whatever the Syndicate will do to delay or subvert the investigation, espionage is their strength after all. I would probably put telling the Alliance to send their army as part of us being part of the Alliance. Once we are in they have to take our words more seriously as an actual voting monarch.

That said if we include the RD in Southshore with Reginald they've got about 350~ troops. We have our 200~ and more like 350~ with our vassals and allies. Durnholde would be another chunk depending on how much survives to that point. Another 200~ from the Stonemason mercs if we had the cash and supplies.

Thats damn near 1000 or so troops that if she considers us as being able to rally those Alliance forces and neighbors we would be about half way to her estimate before mercs and favors from someone like Kael and Jaina and Katrana.

>>6422236
>>If she thinks Eligius and Pai would ruin her plans, why didn't she stop them?
>What would she do if you were to kill Falconcrest, her husband?
>In one year you will be officially in the Alliance, the Syndicate can't stand against the full might of the Lordaeron.
>Other, write in
>ask if the Syndicate is the one behind increased Ork activities.
to Gauge if they know anything about the orks, Id rather not mention it, to keep our ace in our pocket.

>>6422236
>If she thinks Eligius and Pai would ruin her plans, why didn't she stop them?
>What would she do if you were to kill Falconcrest, her husband?
>Other, write in
>Does she know that the Warlocks tried to make a Fel Pool in Durnholde Hills.
>In one year you will be officially in the Alliance, the Syndicate can't stand against the full might of the Lordaeron.
>Other, write in
>Ask if the Syndicate is the one behind increased Ork activities.
>Other, write in
>What are the Syndicate agents in Dawnholme and my domains. What do they know ? Do you know a certain Sir Foecourt ?

Van Cleef and Sir Foecourt come here now !!!!!

Update is for the most part done, but won't be finished today. Time is running short and there’s an opportunity for Alric to ask something specific from Beve, be it information or something she should do.

Do you have anything in mind? Alric only has time for one request.
>Write in

>>6422692
>Write in
Ask if she could look into the Cousin Perenolde that Gilneas is supposedly keeping. Any info she can find would probably be the best thing we can get to undermine Greymane in the next King's Meeting.

Some other stuff I was thinking about
Give Legace more resources and protection. Her last letter came a bit too late to help.
Kel'Thuzad, if hes disappeared maybe hes gone into hiding with criminals or shady nobles

Where will the S attack when the truce is up/Plan for Stromgarde
Aliden's base
The Warlock Base
Names of known spies around us

Alric's birth mother?

Have Arthas killed, lol
Have Garithos killed, a bit more doable I'd imagine

>>6422774
Names of known spies around us would probably be the most immediately useful. Grab them, interrogate, gift them to X for their own investigations, turn them if possible like Pai. But theres a decent chance she just doesn't know about the ones that aren't Syndicate.

Maybe a ring that could detect poison lol

It would be nice if there was another way to cooperate with Beve. Legace is pretty much our only contact and we can't even trade with her anymore.

Beve backs the resume of any agents she recruits, funnel some agents into the Syndicate who would be loyal to us and do what Beve asks of them. Probably some of the Nalice dragonspawn agents. That could gather some really solid intelligence from inside, her letters keep getting opened so she probably could use some non-syndicate aligned agents anyways. You can't get that kind of info without years of investment. Nalice would be proud. I might change to this one unless Medivh says its a no go.

>>6422692
Knowing if there are spies here or in our lands. And also our cousin, yeah.

>>6422692
Lots that could be asked, but the big one for me is "give us a hug wouldya?"


Also all these teleportations mean that Alric seriously has to up his game on Detect Magic. Having run all the time, no exceptions.

“I do need to ask as everything hinges on Eligius and Pai succeeding or not succeeding, why didn't you stop them?” You asked her and continued. “You must have met them.”

“I did meet them.” Beve replied.

“And?”

“They are your servants, I realised that without killing them I couldn't stop them.” Beve said and sighed. “I was very close to doing it, but… that would have cost you your own spymaster.”

“That is considerable.” You said to her. “How are they?”

“Eligius, he seemed ready to defend Pai which I find astonishing. I know her by her reputation, who would defend her?” Beve mused.

“I have found her useful.” You replied.

“Creedy should have had her assassinated, we have rules in the Syndicate, things to follow.” How Beve said it made you feel like she takes her role rather seriously before continuing. “They are pretending to be a married couple. I had them followed very thoroughly, they play the part even if Eligius looks very annoyed about it. And as we both know how Pai operates and handles his men, she either failed at seducing him or…”

“Or what?” You had to ask.

Beve raised her eyebrows and gave you the knowing look that hinted at her intent.

“No… no way…” You caught on.

“You spymaster, he probably is not into women.” Beve said.

“That can't… hold on…” You said as whatever had happened between Eligius and the witches came to your mind. “No way, is he really…”

“Into men? Yes, rather likely. That would be the easiest explanation and often the easiest ones are the correct ones.” Beve told you.

Well that would be a revelation if one, but it was also awfully irrelevant currently.

“Him being a homosexual must not be the reason you didn't kill them?” You asked and waved the idea away.

“It was loyalty, such loyalty should be rewarded and not taken away.” She said. “I couldn't do that to you.”

“Thank you, I would now feel slightly bad if I had killed Falconcrest.” You replied. “Knowing who he is to you. You need to tell him to stop and I can’t promise that I or someone else doesn't kill him the next time he interrupts our meeting.”

“I will let him know, he just…”

“Does what he wants, Malevus laments about that often when it comes to me.” You said and chuckled. “Just tell him to be careful, I wouldn't want to kill the husband of my sister.”

You waved this away as well before continuing.

“What if I manage to get into a situation where I could kill Aliden? Wouldn't that allow you to take control of the Syndicate?” You asked her.

“Maybe, but you wouldn't get anywhere close to him. If I can't get close to him that easily, then for you it is just a dream.”

“What if helping to prop up Creedy? If Alicia is rescued, propping him up maybe could temper him?” You asked next. “If he realises that you are lending him your support, he might stand down?”

1/2

>>6423273

“Or refuse it, why should I help him? But that is not a bad idea and it is something I have considered. I need to put more thought to it.” Beve replied.

“It would be better than the alternatives, you are right about that I don't have the men right now, but in one year I will be in the Alliance and then I will have more men than what Aliden or anyone else could put on the field.” You told her and continued. “It would be in their benefit if they were to help me.”

“Alric, do not be so sure. Would Stromgarde or Gilneas help you?” Beve said and asked.

“Them probably not, but King Terenas would. Prince Kael’thas would. I have friends, I haven't just sat on my hands in the past two years.” You replied.

Beve faintly smiled and spoke.

“I know Alric, I know.” She said. “My time is running short, I can't stay much longer.”

You looked at your sister and thought to ask something very quickly from her.

“I know there are spies here in Dawnholme, Syndicate spies. Do you know who they are?” You asked her.

“I do. I do know them.” Beve said. “I have someone here, no one whom you would know, no one important.”

“I won't go searching for him then.” You replied. “Anyone else?”

“You removed the Dream Dust ring and we lost a lot of eyes and ears. Creedy probably hasn't replaced his spies yet that he lost.” She told you and continued. “Aliden must have someone here, but I don't know who it could be.”

“Damn it, so he must know what I am doing here…” You muttered to yourself.

“There is one more, Falconcrest has his own man in Dawnholme.” Beve said and got serious as her tone got lower. “You know him.”

“I know him? Well shit, who is it then?” You asked as you had no idea whom she was talking about.

“Sir Gravis of Knott.” Beve said very matter of factly.


>Write in

>>6423274
DUN DUN DUNNNNN

I wonder if he just sends letters through a messenger or if his courtesan is his handler. If the rest of his knights are also in on it.

Should have talked to him when he looked like he wanted to say something after the marriage arrangement. Probably could have taken more trust building options which are usually secret sharing options, which is rather ironic. But thats in the past. I'm sure he had orders to keep Alric alive and so on.

Probably won't kill him burning the handy Durnholde vassalage package, and I don't think Alric will want to let things stand as they are. So confronting him in private to hammer things out, perhaps a private sparring lesson to hit each other a bit and let the bad feelings out. Malevus will be there to heal.

>Write in
I'll confront him in private. A sparring match. I'll have his loyalty going forward or his life, he knows what happens to spies who are caught.

Also could probably do a little thing of following where his letters go since his reports on Alric probably go all the way to the top, to Falconcrest. Possibly exposing contacts in Durnholde if his letters go there as well.

>>6423274
Well fuck

>>6423300
Indeed. A tragic betrayal of trust, was it going on from the start? Did he clutch his bandana during the latest Durnholde Campaign assassination attempt? What did he promise in reward for such service? Like asking a cheating lover when it all started lol.

Anyways I will ask for my fellows support on this, I doubt we want to execute him. Or isolate him and his knights from meetings in a very obvious way, nor let things stand. So I think a dramatic confrontation, in private, should do. Beat the treachery out of him and maybe hug it out over Gravis's sob story.

Too bad Gravis is too old to be Falconcrest's bastard son or something lol

WHAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAT

We had so many bro moments with him, this is unreal...tf Medivh....

>>6423274

Well. This is certainly bad.

>>6423297
This Anon has the right of it in that we should confront Gravis personally about it, but I feel keeping him around sets a bad precedent; if more people learn of his treachery and of our leniency, it'll cause more people under our command to think about double-dealing. I say we confront him, learn what we can, and then exile him. He might go and start working for Falconcrest full time, but since we seem to be slowly ending hostilities with him, I don't think that would be too terrible.

>>6423315
I don't think it really sets a precedent when we resolve this in secret, but I get it. This is going to be our little secret. Its not like the Syndicate want to broadcast that one of their undercover agents went rogue either.

Its also I'd say generally a death sentence for a Syndicate to fail his mission and get caught while also compromising who knows what when we was exposed. 'He must have talked to get exile, interrogate him and then kill him.'

Hes going to get married to the daughter of our Vassal, and hes also the father of Lady Imswitt's child. So I'd sooner not throw him to the falcons as it were. lol

I think I will kill Falconcrest anyway, husband or no husband.
Sorry, big sis, but you cannot understand.

>>6423274
>Write in
>".....Are you sure? ... It cannot be. The Head of my Knights and a man I trusted and relied upon more than once?? You have certain proof, Beve ? What of my other knights ? Many of them are long-term friends and companions with him."
>"Is he connected with a Sir Foecourt from Durnholde ?"

>>6423315
Oh and just as an intelligence asset, being able to feed someone false information that they are likely to trust is very useful.

Alric believes in second chances. Gravis here, once Alric roughs him up a bit in a spar that will be both physical and emotional, will be a prime candidate.

Also I'm going off the presumption he was already working for Falconcrest when we was in Durnholde, because lets face it who the fuck isn't apparently. That place is so bugged you should be calling for Dalaran's Strongest Pest Control. It would have been even worse if that awful coalition force had gone there instead of the mercs we guilt tripped Katrana into.

>>6423331
>Alric believes in second chances
except for peasants secretly siphoning his wealth.

>>6423274
>>Write in
"Suppose you arn't lying to my face in order to get me to kill one of my closest friends, I need proof."

wtf Medivh goddamn

>>6423567
Indeed, they get the rope. Maybe if he could have gotten all the coin back. Maybe if Malevus had been walking around in tighter pantaloons that day, or Nalice some manner of riding dress with jewelry that brings out her eyes had she been around, Alric might have had a shred of mercy in his heart.

Maybe its time for another set of tattoos for Alric. Chest and hands are covered. Something to improve his magic detection senses and sight against the next teleporting assassin. Or illusions.

Would there be any benefit to Nalice's human form having dragon tattoos? I suppose it benefits from having a staff and enchanted clothing. Whatever else of her stuff shes getting from Stormwind.

We got knotted. Its over.

I say we first gather concrete proof of hes betrayal through nalice to get whoever is hes handler or anyone else in on this. Then confront him in private. Depending on what he says then we decide what to do with him. Could just keep him as a double agent. Let them think they still got a man on the inside no need to infilitrate another if you already got one. could also feed false info to falconcrest that way. And if we dont like what he says. Just hang him pubicly as a warning/intimidation. Exile seems a bit too soft. If were going that route were losing him anyway might aswell go hard.

>>6423567
Even a 0.1 wealth lost is too much for alrics heart to bear.

Tragic fight incoming...?

I'm not sure about revealing that we know yet, if Falconcrest knows that we know he might just kill him, and we don't know what Gravis himself might do if he's outed.

>>6423676
I would kill someone to have a double agent, I'm confident we can win him over once its clear we know.

I would love a double agent for info. For instance we know Falconcrest, but we have absolutely no info on any of his lieutenants which would be who I would target to cause disruptions or in retaliation. If Faloncrest thinks he can do something and not suffer consequences then he will do it. We treat him like hes mirror Alric, where the most real restriction is the consequence of his actions on his subordinates, his projects and money.

Also Falconcrest is a bit too tricky to kill anyways with several flavors of magic items on him at all times and a readiness to nope the fuck out. Plus it would make Beve sad which will make Alric very sad. When he gets too sad thats when Felric wins...


>>6423796
Ask yourself if you think Alric will let this continue as stands. His most personal bodyguard whose life he saved, whose life he trusted to him, whose future as a nobleman he secured with that Imswit daughter marriage. This whole time he has been a spy working for Falconcrest, since he was in Durnholde or did it happen after he started working for us.

I am sure Alric would not let this continue, to have an enemy spy as his most personal bodyguard to himself and Malevus. The alternative is to let him go about having access to the most secure of areas and documents and meetings. The second he gets treated any different than normal it will be noticed by him or his handler. Move decisively. Confront him in private with a sparring match and let their feelings out.

“Sir Gravis? Are you sure?” You immediately asked. “Nah, that can't be right.”

“Gravis joined the Syndicate nearly five years ago and was trained as a spy and as an agent. It was his mission to infiltrate Durnholde and get close to Lord Blackmoore.” Beve told you and continued. “If an opportunity rises, he would try to join someone more important and similarly attach himself to them.”

“I can’t believe this, we have fought side by side. He is the head of my knights and bodyguards.” You said. “If he had wanted to kill me, he could have done that a hundred times already.”

“His orders are to collect information and see that people the Syndicate sees important are followed or kept in check. Lord Blackmoore was one of such people.” Beve explained. “And with Durnholde falling under the area of responsibility of Lord Falconcrest, Gravis was under his care.”

“I…”

“I am sorry to be the one telling you this, but he is one of ours.” Beve said as she put her hand on your shoulder and looked into your eyes. “We have people like him stationed elsewhere, waiting for the command to act if needed, staying low and making sure the Syndicate and its interests are taken care of.”

You heard a door open somewhere in the house.

“I need to go, this won't be the last time we will see each other. Do not tell anyone about this or about me, you understand?” Beve said and let go of you. Her eyes started to glow purple as arcane ran through her. “Stay safe little brother.”

“Wait!” You could just say as in a blink of an eye Beve was gone with just faint electricity lingering in the air.

You had tried to reach out for her, but your hand found empty air where she had been standing. The spell was something you recognised, it was the Blink. Quick short distance teleportation to get out of places and to avoid danger.

The door to your study opened and out stepped a very groggy looking Malevus, she carried a candle as she gently made her way down the stairs. Based on her chemise and messy hair, she had just woken up.

“Did you talk to someone?” She mumbled. “I could swear I heard something…”

“It was just Lady Nalice, we spoke about the earlier.” You lied quickly. “Why aren't you sleeping?”

“Restroom…” She mumbled back as she walked past you. “Go to bed…”

“You are right, it is late.” You said to her as she disappeared downstairs.

Sir Gravid was a Syndicate agent. After everything you had done to that man, the trust that had been built, this hurt you a lot.

How could he have broken your trust like this?

1/2

File: Malevus the Lady.jpg (151 KB, 800x1091)

>>6424049

You were already in your bed as Malevus returned. She carefully slipped out of the chemise and got underneath the blanket, finding a comfortable spot next to you before giving your cheek a slight kiss.

“Good night Alric, may the Holy Light protect you in your sleep.” She mumbled. “Tomorrow is a long day, you better sleep.”

“True.” You replied and returned the kiss.

Malevus gently hugged you and you could hear her steady breathing. The scent of raspberries of her hair filled your mind and if normally that and feeling her skin on your skin would be enough to get you relaxed, now your mind was just restless. And Malevus noticed it.

“Something is bothering you?” She asked as she shifted a bit to look better into your eyes.

“In fact yes.” You said to her as you continued to stare at the ceiling.

“Whatever it is, I am by your side. We will get through it together.” She said to you. “But if you feel uncomfortable speaking about it, I understand that as well.”

You looked at her and saw her slight smile. Her hand found yours and squeezed it gently. You sighed, you really are the luckiest man in the world to have Malevus by your side.


>It is nothing, your mind is just jumbled from the earlier. Falconcrest in Dawnholme is not a good sign.
>You think Eligius is gay.
>There’s proof that Sir Gravis might be a Syndicate agent and a spy. You need to work on this info more.
>Beve was here, it was her who Malevus heard. She told you about Gravis.
>Other, write in

>>6423579

There would be no benefit for Nalice.

>>6424050
I see Beve failed to mention Foecourt being another Syndicate agent around, so I suppose that will just have to be a name we get from Gravis.

Still would have liked info on the Cousin

>There would be no benefit for Nalice.
You are incorrect sir, the benefit is that it would look good

Ya know I wouldn't usually call any option a 'trap' but if its not Alric's secrets Malevus can't keep it to save that bountiful behind of hers. She lasted what? Less than a day with Nalice's shapeshifting into Alric? Why would the Alric thats knows this ever consider this.

Could be theres a chain of events where Malevus looks at Gravis and he just knows hes caught, he confesses to Malevus and Alric, and help people remember that Alric is supposed to be all about second chances. Not second chances unless he doesn't feel like it, but fortunately it doesn't sound like Gravis has stolen any wealth lol.

>Other, write in
Gravis is a spy for Falconcrest, before he came here. Tomorrow I will invite him out for a private spar and confront him. I'll want you there.

Does anyone really doubt it? 555 Come on now. Or doubt that when push comes to shove Alric will be able to take his loyalty in an exchange of words and steel? I don't need to drag it out give me the emotional confrontation so we can start Gravis's new life as a double agent. Then we can FINALLY learn that Foecourt is also a spy.

I do find it funny that almost every conceivable interruption has to happen to delay the Town Hall meeting just another another day. At least it might make more time for private talks with important vassals and allies.

I can only recover from this betrayal with another gnoll pest control campaign.

>>6424055
Durnholde is heavily populated by spies.

>>6424064
It would make a great setup for a Comedy movie or play. A Knight arrives only to stumble into the revelation that in fact everyone working in Durnholde is a spy. From the lowest camp hand to the officers and concubine of the Lord. Every kingdom, the Church, the mages, orc-sympathizers, orc-haters, criminal organizations that want them for slave labor or fighting pits, you name it.

His meals get spilled and switched like 20 times while they are trying to poison him that he ends up eating oats with the horses. The tavern wench he was courting turns out to be an agent in a wig. Something something he stumbles his way into saving the camp.

>>6424050
Sir gravid...its so knotted.

>There’s proof that Sir Gravis might be a Syndicate agent and a spy. You need to work on this info more.

I must ask what extra preparation could be needed. Beve is confident enough to say hes been working for the Syndicate for 5 years. I doubt we find any information that will make the confrontation easier.

How many more seasons of feeding Falconcrest our operations and who we are hiring do we need to allow for this. If he or his handler ever suspect hes been found out what are the odds we lose that chance, so you can't even keep him out of the loop.

Whatever background he fed to Durnholde was probably made up intermixed with dead people who can't confirm or deny how he actually got his knighthood. An origin that is far away and just ambiguous enough to be annoying to check out. Much like Foecourt.

Lets say we do poke around his letters, we risk spooking his handler and the chance to be a double agent is gone when he or she leaves. Same if we have to grab the handler to confirm it beyond a doubt.

Take the initiative so we can work this out. We beat him in an emotional spar and give him his second chance so we can have our double agent now.

I will try to write a short update tonight as well so could I have a single roll please.


>1d10
>Best of one

Rolled 6 (1d10)

>>6424217

>>6424050
>You think Eligius is gay.

Is the concept of asexuality foreign in this version of the Warcraft world? I mean I don't think that's the case for Eligius but I did notice that when someone is shown to not like women homosexuality is the immediate assumption.
Personaly I think Eligius might have a form of autism or something.

>>6424238
It likely looks strange to someone like Beve (who knows Pai's skills and past but knows nothing of the new Pai), and Alric never really put much thought into Eligius's personal stuff, really. Like, Alric doesn't know much of what the witches did with Eligius, and for that matter, Eligius doesn't want to say anything about that event lol. I think Beve would expect a spymaster not to have issues getting with women, but Eligius is hardly what you can call a typical spymaster. He doesn't even hate being a scribe, and doesn't like danger.

Eligius really doesn't like/trust people touching him (he reacted with some fear and aversion to Pai touching him intimately, from what I recall), and he is, well, a quiet and serious kind of person. We learned more about him in previous threads with his PoV.

>>6424050
>>There’s proof that Sir Gravis might be a Syndicate agent and a spy. You need to work on this info more.

>>6424238
>>6424257
Tabletop session canceled due to bad weather, and it seems people don't want to have the duel in the morning which baffles me. Double RIP.

From how Eligius described his personal history he became the apprentice of his warlock master at a fairly young age, separating him from his parents, and they went on to live as basically hermits even unto the teacher dying from a fever or some such in the Strahnbrad Hills area.

Could he have gone down to find some medicine in a town, or pumped him with a little bit of fel for vitality to try and keep him alive till he gets back, if they were not so stubborn.

What does that kind of isolation, and training to avoid people for his own safety and theirs, do to a man. How he regards most people and himself. Requiring extraordinary circumstances to overcome that barrier like fighting to save his life which both Alric and Pai have done. Although in Pai's case Beve wasn't going to kill them but it certainly seemed like it at the time.

Maybe Pai needs to mix in a bit of motherly charm or something lol.

“I have proof… there’s a suspicion that Sir Gravis is a Syndicate agent.” You said to Malevus and looked back at the ceiling.

“Sir Gravis? But he is so…” Malevus started to say, but you interrupted her.

“Loyal? Always by my side? Trusted with secrets?” You said and continued. “What else would an agent want to be described as?”

Malevus didn't reply immediately and instead she just kissed and hugged you tightly.

“Now I know why he kept interrupting us so often…” She lamented.

“That's a good point. I didn't think about that.” You replied and chuckled.

“Or he is a pervert.” She continued.

“Says the one reading those steady romance novels.”

“They are high literature!” She defended herself.

“A fit for a High Elf then?”

The two of you burst laughing until you took a deep breath.

“Gravis… what shall I do with you…” You muttered.

“Does he know that you know?” Malevus asked.

“No.”

“Then you have the time to think about this.” She suggested.

“Yeah, but I don't want to let this thing hang. I want this resolved.” You replied and continued. “Maybe I will duel him and get the answers that way out of him.”

“You can't duel yourself out of every obstacle you face!” She now laughed again.

“I am Prince Alric Perenolde, of course I can!”

The two of you laughed a bit more again.

“Thank you, I feel like a knot has unravelled in my mind.” You said to her and kissed her.

“You still can't duel him.” She kissed you back.

Of course you could, but you didn't say that as her kiss led into another and then another. The worries were forgotten as for a moment the world was just you and her.

…

>6


It was overcast when you stepped outside your home. The peasants were really lucky to have finished their harvest and gotten most of the work ready just before the autumn weather would roll over them.

“Good morning Prince Alric, it looks like it could rain.” Sir Gravis greeted you.

“Good morning Sir Gravis.” You greeted him back and kept your cool. “And yes, it does feel like it could rain. Shall we go?”

“Of course, the rest of the officers and guests are already waiting for you.” He said and you nodded to it.

The walk through Dawnholme felt awkward to you, but you chose not to react at all. Malevus had smartly decided to take a detour and check some of the patients, she knew her ability to lie was really bad and played herself out of the picture this way.

“Good morning my Prince.” Beckston greeted you outside the town hall.

“Good morning Lieutenant.” You greeted him.

“We have all the men available around the town and on a look out.” Beckston told you.

“Good, very good. You shall take the charge here and… have Sir Gravis join you. The knights could prove useful if something was to happen.” You said to them.

1/2

>>6424290

“That sounds splendid, I am not a big fan of stuffy meetings at all.” Beckston said and grinned. “Let's go Sir Gravis.”

That was easy, now he wouldn't be around listening about your plans or anything else. It made sense to keep the knights on horseback and ready to act on a moment's notice after all.

Inside the town hall in the meeting hall everyone else was already waiting just like Gravis had told you. There was a chorus of nods as you sat down and looked at all of them.

“Right, let's not waste any time and allow Syndicate agents to ruin our perfectly cromulent meeting again.” You said to them. “Now where shall we begin?”


Choose one:
>News from Hillsbrad and Durnholde.
>News from abroad and Alterac.

QM: First with some news and then into the actual decisions.

>>6424238

In one of the previous threads Eligius tells Pai that he has a severe case of haphephobia, fear of being touched. No one else other than Pai knows about it so Beve jumped into conclusions and so did Alric after hearing it.

>>6424292
>News from abroad and Alterac.