[SECRET] A letter

[u/ikar100]

To Decimus Velarian, Marshall of the Talos Cult Rebellion,

It has come to my attention that you claim that within your cult there is a man that is "Talos reborn". I do not know if this is true or if you are just a madman, but I intend to make sure myself. If you are this "Talos reborn" I wish to meet only you. If not, you and this man. I believe both of us can benefit from this meeting. You arrange the place.

A friend.

[u/ikar100]

"I signed myself at the bottom of the letter. A friend. In case you two prove worthy of my attention, I may tell you my identity. But, who I am doesn't matter as much as you matter."

"Decimus, you claim that this man... Ragnvald, was it? That he is the reincarnation of Talos. My men told me he shouted in Bruma. They also told me that some Greybeard came to Imperial City, although I am starting to think everyone knows that. Greybeards never before moved out of their fortress, I think. My knowledge of Skyrim and it's culture isn't that good, to be honest, but I find it good enough."

He leans back, and turns to Rangvald.

"HOWEVER, I do not care if you can shout me apart. A single man can not alone conquer Tamriel. Talos was a single man, but he didn't alone conquer Tamriel. He had armies. And only a mastermind can conquer as much as Talos did. That is what I want to prove here, Ragnvald. If you are the genius you claim to be. If you manage to pass my test, I believe we can strike a VERY beneficial deal in your favor. I will, of course, ask for something in return, but that shouldn't bother you now, and I doubt it will mean much to you when, although until you pass my test the likely is IF, you come to power. So, do you two have anything to say before we begin?"

[u/TheWolfFate → u/ikar100]

For the first time, the young nord broke in. "No, i am ready for whatever test you may give me."

[u/ikar100 → u/TheWolfFate]

"I hope so. If not, then this was just a waste of time."

The Argonian takes out a piece of paper from his long coat.

"Just some of the basics. I will ask you 3 questions. They are questions about military strategy. Simple, really. They are applicable in a battle. Some of these questions even have several right answers, and I can not be sure if you got it right until I hear it. If you answer all of them right, I have one final test for you, Rangvald."

He starts reading the paper.

1. In an army, you control the stereotypical members of these races: The Bosmer, The Altmer, The Nords, The Khajiit (both regular and their crazy battlecats), and some Imperials. You are fighting against Imperial rebels and are afraid a battle will start soon so you need to assign a position for every race, and they include: The archers, the infantry, the cavalry, the battlemages and the spies. To who do you give what position?

2. You find out that the rebels are marching an army towards yours. Near you is an abandoned fort, somewhat far away is a large city and, also near you, is a large forest. Where do your armies go, do you split up and where do you assign your men (which depends on which option you chose)?

3. During a battle, you find the enemy on a hill, while you are down below. They are shooting you with arrows. Which is the best strategy to easily defeat the enemy without losing too many men?

"That would be all. If you manage to figure this one out, we will conduct one more test."

[M] I actually arranged them in difficulty, so the first one is quite easy, the second one medium and the third one hard. But, the second and the third have several answers, and just like I said IC, I won't know which one is the best until I hear it. Good luck!

[u/TheWolfFate → u/ikar100]

"The Altmer would serve as battlemages, the Khajiit as cavalry and spies, the Bosmer as archers, and the Nords as Infantry, the Imperials i would spread out over all positions."

"Assuming the city is friendly, i would send any Bosmer in my army to go hide in the forest, send a group of my men to distract the rebels and lead them to the fort, and send the main part of my army to the city."

"I would organize my men into a shield formation, and march them up the hill, and then attack the archers only when they reach the top of the hill."

[u/ikar100 → u/TheWolfFate]

"Well... I have to say I am surprised, impressed, but also slightly disappointed. In the first question, you forgot the spies. However, this isn't largely important. In the second question you gave an answer I couldn't think of myself, and it was better than anything that I could come up with. But the third one... Is a slight disappointment. But it is more my fault than yours. I haven't clarified every aspect of the battle that could work against you, or in your favor, to make you be more creative. Still, your answer is sufficient. You have passed the first test."

The Argonian takes out a strange board from his coat, and puts the paper back.

"I designed it myself. The plan was to casually play it with diplomats, but you are a change of plans."

He opens the board and there are a bunch of tiny figures made out of wood.

"We shall play the war game."

The Argonain waits for a bit.

"No dramatic lightning? Oh well."

He starts talking about the rules.

"You see, the infantry moves like this, and the cavalry like that..." [We all know the rules of chess...]

"If you pass this test, you have passed them all."

[M] How do we do this? Rollme? Actual online chess game (to be honest, I'm quite bad myself)? Or something different?

[u/TheWolfFate → u/ikar100]

[M] I didn't forget the spies. I have no idea how we're going to determine the chess game though, i'm pretty bad at chess too.

[u/ikar100 → u/TheWolfFate]

[M] Not saying we couldn't play it legit, we could, just asking if it is convenient for you.

[u/TheWolfFate → u/ikar100]

[M] How exactly would we play it legit?

[u/ikar100 → u/TheWolfFate]

[M] Only online, although I can't find a site without a registration. So we would have to register for just this one game, which kinda sucks. If you are up for it, I'm up for it, because for some reason unknown to me I want to make this legit, even if it means playing chess.

[u/TheWolfFate → u/ikar100]

[M] I'm up for it, any specific sites that you would prefer?

[u/ikar100 → u/TheWolfFate]

[M] So, we talked, and Fate said he might be declaiming soon, so let's not bother and just say he lost.

The Argonian was disappointed.

"At least I managed to test out the game. Other than that, this was a complete waste of time. You may have SOMETHING in you, and that would be more than enough if you were already sitting on the Ruby Throne. But you aren't. Good luck kid."

The Argonian packs up and leaves.