Choice of Rebels Guides (SPOILERS)

Here, as requested, is my guide.

Choice of Rebels: The Aristocratic Theurge

Whenever I say …, that’s a fancy way of saying “pick whatever until the next relevant choice.” I’m also not going to tell you what to do romantically, though I note that Breden is probably going to end up dead at the end of this. Likewise, I don’t want to tell you what sex you are. :slight_smile:

Chapter 0
The Hegemony’s suppression of the folkways of other nations, including my own.
I was the only child of the aristocracy in the wineroom.

…exhilarated, as if the world had opened up in front of me.

I was still eager to hear a story from Outside the Wards.

Chapter 1

Our family was noble before the Conquest, and we did not take a Karagond family name.

(Personally, here’s where I use “I could no longer countenance such barefaced impudence!” It shouldn’t take much working around if you’re in it for a Breden romance.)
The corruption of the true faith of Xthonos by the Karagond priesthood.
“The unrestrained, excessive violence inflicted by the Hegemony on the helotry and drudges.”(If you so choose, substitute “All the ways that helots are treated as less than human—above all the harvest of their blood in the Harrowing.” and “Yes: I sincerely care about the helotry.” It’s more compassionate, but I play arrogantly.)

“How do you propose to make that happen?” Part of me badly wanted to take him up on it.
“Very well.”
“Nothing like a little sedition on a summer evening, I always say.” Quelling my anxiety, I stepped into the sweltering little hut.

Encyclopedic knowledge and reasoning skills.

And I didn’t see much point in trying to teach them. (This is optional, but I prefer not to piss off the nobility for the sake of some helot rabble. I’ll teach them when there’s a rebellion on.)
Swordplay and combat.
I told him to come to the point. What did he expect from me?
“If you lose sight of the real enemy…if you can be distracted by the occasional noble abuse? Yes, you’ll lose me.”
I have to admit I do.
“Revolt.”
“…against the Hegemony. And bring the Shayardene nobility onto our side.”
So I waited until morning for a daylight experiment in the woods. (First option also works.)
I’d normally have held my tongue—but Xthonos, I can’t stand by while they Harrow children. (First option also works.)
Call out, “If you know what’s good for you, Theurge, you’ll let those helots go and leave the town.”
We should try to take them alive and try them for their crimes before we execute them. We must maintain order, or we’re no more than a violent rabble.
Alas, no—the helots would never stand for it. (First option also works.)
I take the phials. (Hypocrite :P)
He has a point. We shouldn’t punish the Alastors as severely as the Theurges.

“To the woods, quickly. We’ll make no plans where unfriendly ears might overhear us.”

“No, Breden. You’re one of the few I would trust.” (Actually, we’re setting him up for a fall; just keep that in mind.)

Interlude: Planning, and Ramidel’s Thoughts
Okay, now let’s talk, because there’s branching up ahead and you should make a couple of decisions now. First is: do you plan to fight or run in Chapter 4? And second, do you plan to become Eclect, or go with the Inner Voice?

In general, I advise running. If you run, then things are a lot simpler, and you can rely on Breden as heavily as possible in the winter - because he’ll trust you when the hounds come and he won’t be making it to the next game. However, if you do plan to fight, then I suggest that Breden stay behind a desk and only operate in the specific places I suggest. You’ll lose more outlaws if you fight, but more importantly, you’ll lose Zvad. On the other hand, you’ll come up with more blood than you otherwise would.

Your religious choice is less immediately momentous, but worth considering nonetheless. (Since this is a devout playthrough, I do recommend taking one religious choice or the other.) The Inner Voice is a strong call that will get you more fanatical, armed troops and more morale, as well as a new sacrament that’ll let you make some friends. But the Eclect has more control over her people. It’s your decision - but if you’re going Inner Voice and fighting, then you really need to keep both Breden and Simon/Suzane on a leash.

Chapter 2

I’ve shared with them what drives me—the things I truly loathe about the Thaumatarchy.
Breden.
Koine—the Hegemonic common tongue. Not all of your outlaws are Shayardene, after all.
…(if striking camp)
Actually, I want to decrease the number of mules to Terret.
0
I’d be happy to rob the rich and powerful, but it’s rather more difficult than I’d guessed.

I want to change the rations.
A healthy diet for all sick outlaws, and a subsistence diet for all healthy ones.
No—I want to be the one bringing us through the winter, even if it does mean wrangling a dozen different numbers.
Now we get into a slightly different format. There’s gonna be a little fudge factor here due to the randomness, so my suggestions will be vaguer. Just remember what I said about Breden.
1st week: No barley run.
Acquire more mules - do in exactly this order:
-Send scouts out to find Alastors or Ecclesiasts with mules you could steal.
-If you’re not planning to fight, send Breden to pick up more mules.
-Steal mules from yeoman farms.
Scout for opportunities to raid the institutions of the Hegemony.
-Alastor garrisons.
-Tax collector.
–Yes
–Find a noble who has good insider information—and will talk to me.
–…
–“An odd thing: a helot who spoke truth more bravely than any aristo I knew.”
–I laugh. “No, no. I was speaking of one inspiring individual, cousin—not of the helotry at large.”
Raid the winter grain barns
-Raid yeoman farms for grain and mules. Use all but 2.
Teach more of my outlaws their letters and numbers.
2
I want nothing to do with the bloody art.

I’m going to eat a healthy diet. It’s vital for the leader to stay well and clear-minded.
Week 2
I’ll go from tent to tent to help my followers and offer reassurance.
Fence 2 mules, buy 57 bushels of grain.
Work with merchants
-There has to be a way to convince the merchants to work with us. I ask Zvad to introduce me to Alaine Leybridge.
-Apologize to Alaine.
-…
Send missions out to spread the word of our rebellion and recruit new followers. (At least ten bandits.)
-I send my followers into the helot camps. (All but 2)
-No one
Teach more of my outlaws their letters and numbers.
Week 3
Raiding the Alastors for mules:
Acquire more mules.
Raid Alastors or Ecclesiasts.
Raid both.
I’ll personally lead the raid.
I bring Elery.
Her ideas seems ingenious to me. I base our plan on them.

“Join us!”
Don’t have Breden reassure anyone.
No, I have other uses in mind for those followers.
Raid the yeomen again with all but 2 followers.
I want to make or change a standing order (e.g. rations, mules, targeting).
Change how we’re using mules.
From now on, I won’t specify exactly how many mules you need assigned to the sick because I can’t predict them, so here are the constraints. Remember that you need 11 mules free for buying grain, and will need 7 free to trade with Alaine Leybridge when she asks. Within that space, keep mules available for the sick - you don’t want Theurges to drop fire on them.
Teach more of my outlaws their letters and numbers.
Week 4
From this point on, you can raid yeoman farms up to thrice more. I won’t tell you how to manage your grain and mules anymore; that’s up to thieves’ luck, really.

I exile him from the band. (It doesn’t work, but it keeps your hands clean and compassionate.)

(Before attacking the Alastor garrison) Send missions out to spread the word of our rebellion and recruit new followers. (At least ten bandits.)

  • I send my followers into the helot camps.
  • All but 37
  • Breden. (Get him out of the way.)
    Attack Alastor garrisons in nearby towns. (Thirty-five bandits.)
    -Radmar if you’re planning to fight, Elery if you’re not.
    -Cut my hand.
    -Secret
    -Hamper the enemy with many small Changes.
    Teach more of my outlaws their letters and numbers.
    Week 5-10
    _From here on in, I’m going to be more general - but here are some things you’ll want to do with your free time.

Sabotage the harrowers - then decide to inspect rather than destroy.
-There’s only one way to investigate this thing properly.
-“The better to destroy Harrowers wherever we find them.”.

Against the Architelone, bring Zvad or Radmar if you’re not planning to fight, Radmar if you are. Cut your hand to make many small changes, and then spare them all, and invite the sellswords to join you. Finish by tossing some coin at everyone. Later, when asked about the Architelone’s mules:
-No—we can still use them to carry the sick.

If recruiting, recruit from the helots; the yeomanry are going to hate you this winter. Also, if you’re going to fight, try to stop recruiting around 170-180 bandits unless you have a whole lot of mules. You’re going to have to arm each of them and that’s expensive.
Setting traps will just get your people killed; not worth it.
Teach the alphabeta at the end of every week to at least two outlaws; the kids will help. Some weeks you can teach more.

Week 6
I’d like to be known as a Theurge.

After the venison arrives
If you’re going to fight, sell every non-Architelone mule. If you aren’t, save around 25 mules total and sell the rest.
Distribute 5200 drachems to the yeomen. Which you earned, of course, by stealing and selling their mules. See, this is how a welfare state works; you tax the middle class till they’re dry, give a small portion of it back, and they love you for it! (The upper classes, of course, should be allowed to freely evade taxes.)
Distribute 800 drachems to the helots. Socialism, ho!
If you’re going to fight, buy enough weapons for the entire band and at least 25 more. Then have the bandits trained. (This is bloody expensive, as you may notice.) A feast is likely overkill, unless you still need more morale for some reason.
If you’re going to run, don’t buy weapons and do not have your bandits trained - if you do, Zvad will leave. Instead, have a feast.
Accept Simon/Suzane into the band. (If you get Kalt, you’ve screwed up. Restart the chapter and do less yeoman raiding.) Let them keep their sword.
Regarding your name:
-And yet…
-Adopt a Karagond name (either option)

Chapter 3
Let Zvad bring the strangers in while you inspect the cave.

Greet them warmly.
Paying guest.
I’m jovial with them all evening.
“As you can see, kurios Horion,” I say with a forced smile, “I owe everything to my father’s loving care.”
Pragmatic outlaw.
Linos.
“Tell me about yourself, Ecclesiast.”
“What do you make of our rebellion?”
“Until a rebellion succeeds.”
“We will bring all four provinces into rebellion, not just Shayard.”
… as you wish.
I’ve nothing more to ask Linos.
Decision point! Either
-Yes—I want Linos to proclaim me the Chosen of the Angels. (Eclect route)
-I want to lead them myself in a new ritual of devotion to the Angels—one which requires neither Eclect nor Ecclesiast. (Inner Voice route.)
-In either case, believe it fully.
With Horion, talk with him until he talks about the theurge. When he talks about Aygul,
-“I don’t know what’s nature and what’s law—and I’m not sure it matters.”
-Either of the latter two options.
If Eclect, don’t mess with a new Sacrament.
If going Inner Voice, ask Breden for help, then devise a new sacrament:
-Whatever element you want.
-"…But to all who turn away from their oppression, we will show mercy and compassion."
-“Vengeance—but to those who stood firm, the rule which is their birthright.”
-“Mercy.”
-“Mercy.”
-I change the words. “And may our mercy kindle compassion in the hearts of wrongdoers, turning them from their ways.”
I suggest taking Horion captive for ransom and sending Linos to collect it. Yes, if you’re Eclect, this will piss your followers off - but it’ll piss the nobility off less than letting the idiots die.
When dealing with Hector, call on Calea and ask her to halt his veneurs.
Chapter 4
This one’s for all the marbles!
FIGHTING THE HEGEMONY:
Have Korszata and Radmar speak, no one else.
“Lure them deep into the wild, fight them, and wipe them out!”
I’m not changing my mind. This is the time to crush the Hegemony in battle.
I want to free him now.
… (but I recommend letting Yebben start learning)
If you’re under-armed, buy weapons for everyone. Then allocate 800 drachems to the helotry, 1200 to the yeomanry, and the rest (in multiples of 50) to the priests. Don’t spend more than 2000 on the priests; save anything more.
… (Romance here)
Bjel, Simon/Suzane, and Alira to fight the flankers.
I’ve got most of the children above five years old running messages. They know the terrain well enough and can hide better than most adults.
Attack the Theurges, then the supply train.
Because they don’t know I’m a Theurge, I have a chance to destroy them all with a single dramatic blow.
I cut my palm.
I want to conserve my blood. We can beat them without Theurgy.

No. I won’t take the risk of it spreading. I’ll just send bands to harry them some more instead.

I confront and question Breden.
I don’t know what to believe…and I’m not going to see anyone killed until I know more.

I cut my hand and prepare to use Theurgy to levitate it.
I fight back against the Theurge with all my will.
Get myself to cover. They can find me!
I want to find an outside ledge where we could make use of the sheer mountain cliffs.
I shout, “Throw it off the mountain!” to my followers. (Theurgy is optional, but followers aren’t worth spending blood to save.)
“Today, we destroy them!”
If you haven’t used blood,
-There’s no room for scruples at this point. I go hunting for them.
I cut my hand and hurl the Phalangites back with Theurgy.

Decide what you want to do with Breden. Personally, I’d give him the chop and give Elery command.
Go to Szeric as quickly as possible to see if you can find Horion’s secret Theurge.

Pick who you want to lead the band and come with you, and decide what to do with the blood. Congratulations!

RUNNING AWAY:
Get Zvad, Elery, Korszata, Gillian and Alira to talk.
“Evade them—keep one step ahead and harry them from afar until they give up hunting us.”
“Going back to the Rim is hardly safe, whether we do it in groups or as a mass.” I’m not changing my mind. OR (if needed) Ask Breden to change his mind and support me.
I want to free him now.
…(but I suggest teaching Yebben)
Allocate 800 drachems to the helotry, 1200 to the yeomanry, and the rest (in multiples of 50) to the priests. Don’t spend more than 5000 on the priests; save anything more.
… (Romance here.)
“…divide their loyalties as best we can.” I’ll litter the wild with messages to sap their morale.
We’ll march through the night. There’s just enough moonlight, and their Theurges and scouts will be abed.

I confront and question Breden.
We need Zvad if we’re going to survive. I give a curt nod. “You’re right. Finish him.”
Zvad.

I cut my hand and prepare to use Theurgy to levitate it.
Get myself to cover. They can find me!
I want to find an outside ledge where we could make use of the sheer mountain cliffs.
I use Theurgy to sweep it from the path.
I’ll use my own blood.

Go to Szeric as quickly as possible to see if you can find Horion’s secret Theurge.

Pick who you want to lead the band and come with you, and decide what to do with the blood. Congratulations!

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@jcury @MichaelCrank @Jocelin_Gutierrez
@Ramidel 's guide is very nicely organized.

My Choice Of Rebels INT 2 walkthrough is here. I simply recorded almost every choice made usually without commenting on which are essential to the strategy but hopefully it will be helpful to some extent. This playthrough is as a covert wisard that is skeptical and compassionate whose band chooses to evade the Hegemony in the woods.

XOR final release INT 2 walkthrough

MANY OF THESE CHOICES COULD PROBABLY BE CHANGED TO PERSONAL PREFERENCE WITHOUT BREAKING THE OVERALL STRATEGY BUT IT IS MORE FUN FOR ME TO JUST TRY CHANGES AND FIND OUT SO I HAVE NOT KEPT TRACK OF ALL OF THE CRUCIAL CHOICES.

The intensity of the Hegemony’s violence to its lower castes.
“I can hide you.”
“I don’t know.” I shook my head wildly, hoping my terror looked enough like confusion. “I don’t…somewhere up there, kurios.”
“My family is noble! We’re cousins to the aristarchs of the district!”
…daughter."
“Theurgy.”
“He needed my help! Mother said…always help those in need….”
…I headed back up to the woods, to see if I could find any trace of the helot.
“They’re monsters—the Theurge as much as the hounds.”
“Joana, naturally.” The aging helot who maintains my family’s groves is very dear to me, if not to my father.
I was taken aback by how attractive she was. Lean and sun-parched, of course, but her smile and confident stance were strangely charming.
Our family didn’t adopt Karagond names, we stayed with the old ways.
Alya.
Our family was noble before the Conquest, and we did not take a Karagond family name.
de Serin.
A four-pointed star.
“So. Water enough to sweep away horses, eh?” I offered her an artful smile.
“…was brutally slaughtered…”
That was when I knew I had to see her again and keep talking.
The superstitious nonsense the Ecclesiasts teach to justify the evils of Hegemony.
All the ways that helots are treated as less than human—above all the Harrowing.
Yes: I sincerely care about the helotry.
“There must be some way to keep the Wards up and Xaos at bay without murdering thousands of people.”
“Nothing like a little sedition on a summer evening, I always say.” Quelling my anxiety, I stepped into the sweltering little hut.
Sarcifer, the renegade archmage.
Encyclopedic knowledge and reasoning skills.
I actually ran up to my father and clutched at his arm, desperate to stop him from driving away my only friend.
So I started to teach them.
Swordplay and combat.
“I’m so sorry,” I offered, feeling sick to my stomach.
…kindled my own, against the Hegemony.
I swore that when she needed me most, I’d be ready.
So I waited until morning for a daylight experiment in the woods.
I need to stop this Harrowing at any cost.
Cry, “No Angels would bless this atrocity. You are a liar, Chirex, and your Thaumatarch is a blaspheming murderer.”
I shout, “Chirex, don’t be a fool—you know your Theurgy can not win against us.”
We should try to take them alive and try them for their crimes before we execute them. We must maintain order, or we’re no more than a violent rabble.
I didn’t kill those helots, and I can’t bring them back. If their blood could help my cause, I’d use it.
I take the phials.
I want them to know I’m a skeptic, and to share my skepticism.
He has a point. We shouldn’t punish the Alastors as severely as the Theurges.
“Plunder the nobles’ estates before we leave.”
“We’ll fight them as long as we’ve got breath in our bodies.”
“Radmar!” I exclaim gladly. “We’d feared the worst.”
“Why wasn’t I invited to the meeting?”
“Why weren’t you up at the shack with the others?”
“How do you think the Hegemony knew where to find them?”
“So who do you think could have betrayed you?”
I just stare at her, the doubts obvious in my eyes.
“No, Breden. You’re one of the few I would trust.”
“…and we will replace his tyranny with a new, just order.”
“It can wait until dawn.”
I gently remind Zvad that I’ve asked people to stop calling me kuria.
I’ve shared with them what drives me—the things I truly loathe about the Thaumatarchy.
Zvad—because whether or not she betrayed us, I don’t trust Breden’s judgment.
Koine—the Hegemonic common tongue. Not all of your outlaws are Shayardene, after all.
Actually, I want to decrease the number of mules to Terret.
0
I’d be happy to rob the rich and powerful, but it’s rather more difficult than I’d guessed.
I wish I could enjoy their company, but all I can feel when I look at them is the crushing responsibility of keeping them all alive.
I ask our quartermaster what he’d advise.
A healthy diet for all sick outlaws, and a subsistence diet for all healthy ones.
No—I want to be the one bringing us through the winter, even if it does mean wrangling a dozen different numbers.
I sell my father’s sword, but keep mine.
Yes.
10
No.
57
Acquire more mules.
Send scouts out to find Alastors or Ecclesiasts with mules you could steal. (Fifteen scouts.)
Try something else.
Scout for opportunities to raid the institutions of the Hegemony.
Tax collectors—a mission so sensitive it will require my personal involvement.
MAKE NOTE OF THE TAX WEEK FOR LATER
Yes.
Try to tap into the merchant network.
PICK AN ALIAS
Work with local merchants to smuggle goods over the Whendward Pass.
There has to be a way to convince the merchants to work with us. I ask Zvad to introduce me to Alaine Leybridge.
“The Guild of Shayard wouldn’t have more to gain by breaching the law?”
Try to get sympathetic helots to give us money or food—and perhaps to foster some of our children.
He needs to do something, and this will suit him right.
“These lies are what drove us here, Father,” I say coolly.
60
Myself.
Bring Breden, and keep a close eye on her.
No—I don’t want to dishearten my outlaws by breaking up their families.
Acquire more mules.
Try to convince yeomen or merchants to give mules to the cause. (Requires me or Breden)
Try something else.
I want to make or change a standing order (e.g. rations, mules, targeting).
Change the rations.
A healthy diet for everyone in the band.
IF AT ANY POINT THERE IS NOT ENOUGH FOOD FOR THE WEEK, LEAVE THE SICK ON FULL RATIONS. GO INTO THE STANDING ORDER SCREEN AND MAKE DETAILED CHANGES. DECREASE HEALTHY ADULTS ONE RATION LEVEL THEN HEALTHY CHILDREN ONE RATION LEVEL AND KEEP DECREASING UNTIL THERE IS ENOUGH FOR THE WEEK.
Hunt for game other than deer.
I send parties out to snare rabbits and small game.
ALL OF YOUR REMAINING PEOPLE
I head out into the woods to practice in secret.
I cause a bush to burst into flame.
I have to keep it a secret from everyone. Too many people will fear or hate me as a Goete; even my followers might stone me.
I’ll go from tent to tent to help my followers and offer reassurance.
I refuse to immobilize us—even to feed us.
0
Raid the winter grain barns in the lowland farm country. (At least seven bandits.)
Raid a Tithe Barn. (Thirty bandits.)
I’ll lead the raid in person.
No—I don’t want the band looking to Breden for reassurance on this.
I cut my hand open, hoping I can make a Change before the Alastors overrun me.
I dim the light from the Alastors’ eyes, half-blinding them.
But I’ve grown up regularly seeing people killed…and for years I knew the day would come when I’d do the same.
It will feed some of the village poor and helotry, not just Alastors. I leave it.
“No—damned be the lying Ecclesiasts.” I strike her down.
Send scouts out to find another Tithe Barn. (Ten bandits.)
Try something else.
Acquire more mules.
Try to convince yeomen or merchants to give mules to the cause. (Requires me or Breden)
As long as she keeps bringing us mules, she deserves to be cheered.
Try something else.
Try to get sympathetic helots to give us money or food—and perhaps to foster some of our children.
60
Elery.
Absolutely not. No one should have to give up their children.
Hunt for game other than deer.
I send parties out to snare rabbits and small game.
ALL OF YOUR REMAINING PEOPLE
I return Zvad’s stare without expression. “They’ll just drive more of the helots into our arms. And we’ll bleed the Karagonds harder before this is done.”
By a gathering of all adult outlaws.
A moot, of course. And everyone fourteen and over will take part.
I refuse to disarm or immobilize us—even to feed us.
0
Acquire more mules.
Send scouts out to find Alastors or Ecclesiasts with mules you could steal. (Fifteen scouts.)
Steal mules from Alastors or Ecclesiasts. (Fifteen to thirty-five bandits.)
Raid both. (Fifty bandits.)
I’ll personally lead the raid.
I bring Elery.
Her ideas seems ingenious to me. I base our plan on them.
“Join us!”
I ask Breden to reassure them.
Raid the winter grain barns in the lowland farm country. (At least seven bandits.)
Raid a noble grain store. (Twenty-five bandits.)
I’ll send them all, and bring back 68 bushels.
One that is well known for pushing free yeomen off their land.
Let it alone. That grain feeds many household servants, too, and I’d not have them go hungry.
I’ll send Zvad.
Try something else.
I want to make or change a standing order (e.g. rations, mules, targeting).
Change how we’re using mules.
ASSIGN THE UPPER ESTIMATE JUST TO BE SAFE
Scout for opportunities to raid the institutions of the Hegemony.
Temples and monasteries. (Ten scouts.)
Teach more of my outlaws their letters and numbers.
I might want to train up more Theurges one day, and this is a necessary first step.
ALL OF YOUR REMAINING PEOPLE
“Why, Fedrel?”
I ask the full moot to decide his fate.
“Radmar. How’s Poric?”
I refuse to disarm or immobilize us—even to feed us.
0
I want to make or change a standing order (e.g. rations, mules, targeting).
Change how we’re using mules.
THE UPPER ESTIMATE PROBABLY HAS CHANGED SO MATCH IT AGAIN
Raid the winter grain barns in the lowland farm country. (At least seven bandits.)
Raid a Tithe Barn. (Thirty bandits.)
I’ll send them all, and bring back 117 bushels.
I send Zvad.
Send scouts out to find another Tithe Barn. (Ten bandits.)
Try something else.
Sabotage the Harrowers in nearby towns. (Thirty bandits.)
Yes—and I want to accompany them to inspect the Harrowers.
It’s hard to shake the fear that once we’ve unveiled the thing, someone will spot us and rouse the Alastors.
I nod grimly and return to my examination.
There’s only one way to investigate this thing properly.
I’ll need to be able to make aetherial blood one day, but have no idea how.
“The better to destroy Harrowers wherever we find them.”
I want the Harrowers doused in oil and set on fire.
Acquire more mules.
Try to convince yeomen or merchants to give mules to the cause. (Requires me or Breden)
Try something else.
Teach more of my outlaws their letters and numbers.
ALL OF YOUR REMAINING PEOPLE
0
Raid the nearest temples and monasteries of Xthonos. (Twenty bandits.)
Actually, I want her to lead it without me.
Acquire more mules.
Steal mules from Alastors or Ecclesiasts. (Fifteen to thirty-five bandits.)
Raid the temple and nearby monastery. (Twenty bandits.)
I want to make or change a standing order (e.g. rations, mules, targeting).
Change how we’re using mules.
THE UPPER ESTIMATE PROBABLY HAS CHANGED SO MATCH IT AGAIN
Raid the winter grain barns in the lowland farm country. (At least seven bandits.)
Raid a noble grain store. (Twenty-five bandits.)
I’ll send them all, and bring back 131 bushels.
I’ll send Zvad.
Try something else.
Scout for opportunities to raid the institutions of the Hegemony.
Temples and monasteries. (Ten scouts.)
Scout for opportunities to raid the institutions of the Hegemony.
Alastor garrisons in small towns. (Ten scouts.)
Yes—we need to keep up the rebellion’s momentum if we’re going to draw support.
Teach more of my outlaws their letters and numbers.
ALL OF YOUR REMAINING PEOPLE
I find it hard to stop smiling. The first of a free generation, a rebel generation. This means hope.
I can’t help beaming at Lelyan and the others.
I’d like to play the re-discoverer of the ancient art of Wisardry.
No need for a barley run this week, then.
I BELIEVE THE SMUGGLING WEEK AND TAX WEEK CAN VARY OR AT LEAST TAX WEEK DEFINITELY CAN. I PREFER TO HAVE ZVAD AVAILABLE FOR TAX WEEK SO I MAKE SURE TO SEND HIM TO A GRAIN BARN THE WEEK BEFORE TAX WEEK SO HE WON’T NEED TO RAID ONE DURING TAX WEEK.
I want to make or change a standing order (e.g. rations, mules, targeting).
Change how we’re using mules.
THE UPPER ESTIMATE PROBABLY HAS CHANGED SO MATCH IT AGAIN. IF THERE IS NO ESTIMATE GIVEN, I THINK THAT MEANS YOU CAN SET IT TO 1.
Smuggle goods from Alaine Leybridge over the Whendward Pass. (Seven mules or equivalent.)
Acquire more mules.
Try to convince yeomen or merchants to give mules to the cause. (Requires me or Breden)
I’ll go.
Try to convince yeomen or merchants to give mules to the cause. (Requires me or Breden)
Try something else.
Teach more of my outlaws their letters and numbers.
ALL OF YOUR REMAINING PEOPLE
I send Alaine back a diplomatic suggestion that the reward for conveyance should be more than a tenth of the amount she and her partner saved at the border.
No need for a barley run this week, then.
Rob the Architelone on her winter tax procession. (40 bandits, led by you)
WHATEVER WEEK IS TAX WEEK, LAUNCH THE TAX RAID THAT WEEK.
I want to bring everyone who could possibly help.
I pull out a phial of blood, hoping I can make a Change before I lose the advantage of surprise.
I hamper their ability to fight with many small Changes.
I spare them all.
Sheathe their weapons. Then I invite the sellswords to join our revolt.
I toss each group some coin, grinning, and say, “The Thaumatarch wishes to make amends for his earlier thefts.”
Acquire more mules.
Try to convince yeomen or merchants to give mules to the cause. (Requires me or Breden)
Try something else.
Teach more of my outlaws their letters and numbers.
ALL OF YOUR REMAINING PEOPLE
No—we can still use them to carry the sick.
THERE SHOULD BE NO NEED TO EAT THE MULES, BUT UP TO YOU.
An eight-rayed sun, the opposite of the Hegemony’s omphalos.
I’m delighted to hear it. Let the Karagonds eat their own.
0
BASICALLY NEVER BUY GRAIN FROM THE FENCES AFTER WEEK 1. IF YOU NEED FOOD, RAID A GRAIN BARN WITH PREFERENCE GIVEN TO TITHE BARNS AND IF NOT AVAILABLE THEN A NOBLE GRAIN BARN. SEND OUT SCOUTS AFTER MORE TITHE BARNS UP TO AND INCLUDING WEEK 8. DO NOT BOTHER SENDING SCOUT STARTING WEEK 9.
Attack Alastor garrisons in nearby towns. (Thirty-five bandits.)
I chose to include Breden in the raiding party.
Both Elery and Radmar.
I cut my hand open, hoping I can make a Change before the Alastors slaughter my rebel band.
I hamper their ability to fight with many small Changes.
No—we want to be clear that this was rebellion, not just banditry.
SOMETIMES THE TAX RAID COMES AFTER THE ALASTOR GARRISON RAID. WHICHEVER COMES FIRST GETS A BLOOD PHIAL AND WHICHEVER COMES AFTER DOES NOT.
Raid the winter grain barns in the lowland farm country. (At least seven bandits.)
Raid a Tithe Barn. (Thirty bandits.)
I’ll send them all, and bring back 266 bushels.
I send Zvad.
Try something else.
DEPENDING ON THE AMOUNT OF FOOD YOU HAVE STOCKPILED AND HOW MUCH IS USED UP WEEKLY, YOU MAY NOT NEED TO SEND OUT SCOUTS FOR A NEW TITHE BARN IF YOU RAID IT ON WEEK 8.
Teach more of my outlaws their letters and numbers.
ALL OF YOUR REMAINING PEOPLE
“Every helot? Even those whose natural affections run otherwise?” I’m horrified at the thought.
No need for a barley run this week, then.
Raid the nearest temples and monasteries of Xthonos. (Twenty bandits.)
No, I’ll send another outlaw.
Acquire more mules.
Try to convince yeomen or merchants to give mules to the cause. (Requires me or Breden)
I’ll go.
Try to convince yeomen or merchants to give mules to the cause. (Requires me or Breden)
Try something else.
Teach more of my outlaws their letters and numbers.
ALL OF YOUR REMAINING PEOPLE
“It has been costly.” You’ve still got your rage to keep you moving. “And by rhupos, we’ll see ourselves repaid three hundred times over in Karagond blood.”
No need for a barley run this week, then.
Acquire more mules.
Try to convince yeomen or merchants to give mules to the cause. (Requires me or Breden)
I’ll go.
Try to convince yeomen or merchants to give mules to the cause. (Requires me or Breden)
Try something else.
Send missions out to spread the word of our rebellion and recruit new followers. (At least ten bandits.)
I send them to both.
ALL OF YOUR REMAINING PEOPLE
I’ll send Elery.
YOU’VE SURVIVED WINTER. NOW CLICK SHOW STATS IN THE TOP LEFT. PICK “HOW OTHERS SEE YOU”. IF YOU AREN’T ALREADY A HELOT FOLK HERO, GIFT THEM 800 DRACHEMS. GIFT THE YEOMANRY 1200 DRACHEMS IF YOU AREN’T ALREADY A YEOMAN FOLK HERO. BUY ENOUGH WEAPONS SO THAT YOU HAVE 1 PER ADULT. IF YOU DON’T HAVE ENOUGH WEALTH FOR THAT, SELL MULES AT 700 DRACHEMS EACH UNTIL YOU DO.
Pay someone to come train the band in using their captured swords and spears. (129 silver.)
I watch them curiously, trying to guess what they’re talking about.
Offer to hire her for another week.
Buy ale, beef, and cheese for a grand feast to celebrate our survival. (307 silver.)
My vision is to free all four provinces, including Wiendrj, from the Thaumatarch’s tyranny.
“I’ve never been much of a dancer. You’ll find better partners, I think.”
I say flatly, “I don’t want to dance with you, Breden.”
Save my remaining silver.
It’s dangerous but unavoidable. We need all the capable leaders we can get.
No. I don’t know if I trust Breden, but I don’t want to risk driving her away.
Cut in, explaining why I’ll test both old and young helots.
“Just so long as you’re killing the right people, at the right times.”
The temptation of a follower who is infatuated with me.
No. I’d rather our rebellion set an example of no one having their family name held against them.
Continue.
The strangers are less important than confirming a safe camp for my band. I’ll send one of the others to deal with them.
Elery.
AND
“Bring them back to the camp. I want to hear what brings them to Whendward.”
I crouch and lap from my cupped hand, keeping a wary eye on the forest and the sky.
I greet them warmly.
“That’s a harsh word for it. Call him a paying guest.”
I apologize tersely for the simple fare and rough accommodation.
I glance at the helots who are pretending not to listen. “I wonder what our orchard-keepers would say if they heard a diseased branch try to blame its fruit?”
Pragmatic outlaw.
Linos.
“Tell me about yourself, Ecclesiast.”
“Tell me more about your master Horion.”
“What manner of philosophy so occupies kurios Horion?”
“How much would his House pay for him in ransom?”
I steer back to other topics.
“Tell me more about where you’re going, and why.”
“Who are these enemies who are so alarming that they’ve sent you into the Whendward?”
“I’m asking you.”
“What do you make of our rebellion?”
“Until a rebellion succeeds.”
“We will bring all four provinces into rebellion, not just Shayard.”
I’ve nothing more to ask Linos.
Despite my skepticism, I give the offer a moment of serious consideration.
“What are the signs of a true Eclect?” I demand. “How can you know?”
No—I don’t want to meddle with religion at all.
“Tell me more about yourself, kurios Horion.”
“What sort of preoccupations do you pursue?”
“Tell me of your cousin the Archon.”
“My father said that when he last visited Shayard, there were whispers that you would rise to the Archonate.”
“Shall we ask him to explain what he heard, milord?” The discrepancy sits uneasily with you.
“Who are these enemies, and why are they so determined to destroy you?”
“You actually believe Strategos Nomiki would pursue you into Wiendrj?”
“Tell me more about where you’re going, and why.”
“What do you make of our rebellion?”
“We’ll end Harrowing.”
“We’ll find another way to fend Xaos off.”
“That’s madness. Barely armed, against Xaos-beasts?”
“A new Ward-wall, you say? How high?”
“What were the Xaos-lands like?”
“And the Storms?”
“Did you go back in when the Storm passed?”
“And yet…there must be a way to protect ourselves without sacrificing helots.”
“Never heard of her. But it sounds plainly true.”
“I’ll free all the lands currently in Karagon’s thrall, and lead as many as will follow me.”
I’ve nothing more to ask Horion.
I offer them a place in the band.
I release them.
“Because I want to meet this curious Theurge.”
We got unlucky. Cousin Hector’s an excellent hunter, and he picked up our trail.
The intense dislike born of Hector’s demeaning attitude and casual cruelties.
We hit back at the wealth of House Keriatou.
I return his grin. “Would you help us do it?”
I include both Breden and Kalt.
Try to incite Brecklander peasants to attack the shepherds and take the sheep themselves.
I hold my tongue, but ask him later, privately.
“Tell me about it.” I lean back and wait for him to speak.
“Did you kill him?” I wouldn’t put it past Kalt.
Nothing I can say will do justice to this. I sit in appalled silence.
“Even though that’s not who you really are?” I say compassionately.
“Maybe I’ll save you instead,” I counter. “You’re not a monster…and you don’t have to make yourself one.”
ROMANCE PREFERENCE HERE. MY MC DOES LIKE KALT/KALA BUT MY MC PREFERS SOMEONE WHO WAS NOT A RO IN GAME 1. YES, YEBBEN MY MC MEANS YOU.
“My name is Alya de Serin—and we’ve business with the flocks of House Keriatou.”
I grin ruefully and mouth Thank you at Breden as we pass into the Brecklander village.
I nod. “As we agreed. No need for you to kill fellow Brecklanders.”
There’s a trick I read about in a book that I think is worth trying.
“Rebels!”
“If that’s true, they’ve made a grave mistake.”
“I’ll not believe in Xaos-demons till I see one, Radmar. This is just a man, and one who needs our help.”
The inevitable Theurge and Phalangite attack coming this summer. Today’s mystery doesn’t affect that.
“Rebels—against the Thaumatarch and all his servants.”
What if there’s a way for us to retreat across a Ward, to a haven where no Theurge or armed Phalangite could follow us? Could I convince the band to follow me into the Xaos-lands?
“It was truly that unbearable?” I try to imagine what could get me to do the same.
I do my best to counter the rumors that we’re responsible.
But I think whoever betrayed us to Chirex is still with us, just lying low.
“Douse that fire,” I order the nearest spectators. “And next time he tries any such nonsense, for rhupos’s sake stop him.”
“You, the hope of the House?” I cry back at him. “Listen to yourself! Cursing the last one of us? You’ve poisoned everything, all your life. If we survive, it’s despite you.”
Continue.
CHAPTER 4. CHOICE OF SUMMER STRATEGY. WITH CHOICES MADE SO FAR, IT SHOULD BE POSSIBLE TO SWITCH BETWEEN EVADING IN THE WOODS AND DISPERSING INTO THE HELOT CAMPS. ACTUALLY FIGHTING WOULD HAVE REQUIRED PICKING RADMAR TO LEAD RAIDS INSTEAD OF ZVAD AND PROBABLY MINIMIZING USING ANYONE ELSE FOR MOST THINGS. I TEND TO LET EVERYONE SPEAK BECAUSE IT FEELS MORE DEMOCRATIC THAT WAY.
“Evade them—keep one step ahead and harry them from afar until they give up hunting us.”
She might be describing the future of our rebellion—but not until after we’ve survived the summer.
“Welcome!” I beam, clasping their hands.
After several minutes’ silence, I finally say, “There are some exercises I can teach you. Mental reflections.”
BUY ENOUGH WEAPONS FOR ALL OF YOUR ADULTS. IF YOU NEED MORE WEALTH, SELL MULES AT 700 DRACHEM EACH UNTIL YOU HAVE ENOUGH.
I intend to survive to spend the rest another day.
Yet I feel no emotion as my mind races, trying to come up with our next move.
“…start slowing them down.” We’re going to harry them from the woods.
A specific number of rebels, namely…
ASSIGN THE MAX ALLOWABLE NUMBER
Attack the Theurges, then the supply train.
Because they don’t know I’m a Wisard, I have a chance to destroy them all with a single dramatic blow.
I use two blood phials.
At the same time, I cut my hand and use Wisardry.
And for a moment, I do too.
No. I won’t take the risk of it spreading. I’ll withdraw deeper into the woods instead.
“Good.”
“You were my mother’s friend, Joana. You could always speak your mind.”
“She failed, Joana. She failed.” My stomach turns. “If there was ever anything in him to save, it died a long time ago.”
I confront and question Breden.
I don’t know what to believe…and I’m not going to see anyone killed until I know more.
I share a white-eyed glance with Alira.
I cut my hand and prepare to use Wisardry to levitate it.
I fight back against the Theurge with all my will.
Rally the outlaws before they break.
I use Wisardry to bring down part of the cavern ceiling onto the hound.
A phial of aetherial blood.
“Serves the old bastard right,” I whisper hoarsely to myself.
“Hurry, then. Let’s move while we can.”
Elated. We’ve survived, against all odds.
We’ll spare them, and leave any future problems to our future judgment.
Go to Szeric as quickly as possible to see if you can find Horion’s secret Theurge.
“Rhupos. A Kryptast? Or did they kill him outright?”
“What if these Alastors learn you’ve helped us?”
Yebben.
“If this segnura Cerlota is still alive, I’ll find her. There are things she knows that the Hegemony fears, and our rebellion needs.”
No one. This is a path I’ll walk alone.
But I’m free of him at last.

EDIT: I changed my Chapter 4 strategy slightly and it appears to give the same results while using 1 less phial of aetherial blood.

During the second week of summer fighting, when striking the Theurges followed by the supply train, merely cut your hand against the Theurges then use a blood phial against the supply train. Switching the order of the blood phial use saves 1 blood phial. If you are willing to take more casualties and have enough remaining rangers, you could also skip using wisardry against the supply train.

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Thanks, I really appreciate the guide.

Great guides i wish I knew how to link the help page to this

Have u gotten a lot of chances to learn more theurgy if I stop the harrowing e it? I’m having trouble with being a public Compassionate Cosmopolitan theurge That Raids only from Hegemony (And as little as possible), relying on trading mules. I’m dating breden in the playthrough and he’s my second in command

Thanks for this. BTW, I struggled for a time you have to raid and rob below anarchy 21 in order to get Simon/Suzane so keep an eye on that. If you go with the inner voice you get way more followers.
BTW, anyone have a new guide for com or char based protagonist?

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The guide was a huge help, doing another playthrough now and Zvad keeps dying but I can’t heal him. Any thoughts on how I can?

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So I followed your guide for the most part changeing very little. I fought at the end, I only used Breden for 1 recruit during the garrison attack, for the harrower, and for my inner voice religion, I had a apella moot and used Radmar alot on recruit drives to gain majority vote for battle. I took Horion Hostage and tied up Brenden after she poisions the band. I also got Suzane for having less than 21 anarchy.

At the end, I won, however Horion dies, Breden escapes, 7 of the 16 mules from the taxman die, only the Helots love me. The yeoman still distrust me even though I only raided them as you said, and I gifted them about 6500 silver. The preists hate me, and the nobles are cautiously sympathetic. I am also completely broke.

I am confused at the drastic changes to the opinions of me. Also, as far as I read, anything I used Theugry on died, so how does word get back to the preists?

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The answer is, A, that you didn’t pay the yeomen enough, and B, that you aren’t supposed to reveal your theurgy until the climax. Other than that, you may have gotten plain unlucky on the raids. I try to have a total of around 50 mules by the end of winter. You also may have overspent on weapons.

Losing a few tax-mules is fine; it’s not like you can sell them anyway. :slight_smile:

No matter what I do, I can’t convince my group to fight. They always opt to run?

How the he’ll do I get them to man up and face the enemy?

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1: Keep Breden’s influence down, and Radmar’s up.
2: They won’t fight if Sybla hasn’t trained them.
3: You need enough arms for most of them (all would be better).

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How do I do that, though?

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Don’t use Breden or Simon/Suzane for anything you don’t need to. Use Radmar wherever possible. Doing stuff as a leader gives your subordinates leadership cred.

Also, remember that Inner Voice makes it hard to fight, because you need Breden to support your leadership play. Being Eclect means your followers are much more likely to fall in line.

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Get has anyone gotten through the winter withdrawing a tithe barn w the 300+ followers

The problem with that is in my experience is that Radmar messes up too many times if I send him to raides there are much more casualties as if I would send someone else.

That he does. I let him tag along on raids I’m already leading - the Alastor garrison raid and the Architelone. That builds him a bit of credibility in a controlled environment.

In the architelone one do you include only him or everyone else too?

Only him. It doesn’t help to have everyone, and you don’t need to be expanding other people’s leadership when you can help it.

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Thanks. I’ll definitely give it a try when I’m playing my COM 2 character who would rather fight the Phalangites instead of running from them.

I did not reveal my Theurgy except to train Yebben until the climax of the fight where I killed all the Theurges in one blow before raiding the supply train. and used one blood phial to fight the theurg and his dog before rallying the rebels.
I ended up with 40 Mules to sell other than the 16 taxman mules. If I struck the Yeoman as much as you then how come I pay 1500 more gold than you instruct and I don’t get anywhere close to being loved?

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Do you donate 1200 in Chapter 4? Remember that that’s a separate donation. (1200 is the “magic number” for each yeoman donation, anything more than that in one donation has diminishing returns.)

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