Ulthar grins at that, Halken frowns, and Belegar simply nods. "Strollendreki. Better a reason than most. Come, join the discussion." You approach the table, your scalp brushing against the roof, glad for once to be under-endowed with height. "You're not the first umgi zhufokri to join, there's a pair of Gorzhufokri, those animal wizards, and one of those damn strange Azulzhufokri metal wizards, but they're all Journeymanlings."
Cool, Journeymen!
Second of all and almost as surprising is the turnout from your home province: apparently the Elector Countess has started to phase out crossbows in favour of rifles and things have not been going well, as thousands of former troops have rallied to Clan Angrund to seek their fortunes rather than trying their luck with newfangled gunpowder contraptions. Of roughly equal size are the detachment of various hunters, poachers, and woodsmen from western and northern Stirland. A lifetime living next to Sylvania, you're sure, will make the Badlands seem homey by comparison.
So...that sounds like Anton's work.
She's probably not too happy about that.
The third major category of volunteers are, in a twist of irony, caused by the very breakdown in civil order that prevented the Empire proper from assisting. First, there are Nordlanders who have abandoned their home province in the face of entire villages disappearing overnight to seek their fortunes where the danger is something that can be met with an axe to the face. Many speak darkly of the Norscan blood running through Nordlander veins, but none can gainsay their ability in combat, and what they lack in armour or tactics they make up for in strength and courage. Second, bizarrely, an equal number of Middenlanders - religious exiles, apparently, who speak darkly of conflict within the Ulrican church. The core of this group are the Winter Wolves of Middenheim, who have struck the 'of Middenheim' from their name, turning their back on their home province as, they say, their home province has turned their back on them. Unusually for a knightly order, most of them fight dismounted, but a core of them are mounted on the giant wolves of the Drakwald. After a rocky start, the Nordlanders and Middenlanders have found common ground - both are disgusted with their respective provincial leadership, so they feel no need to continue the conflict.
Nordlanders and Middenlanders agree, the Imperial mess of this shit is too much, fuck this we both go fight Old Night.
Fourth, finally, and as unexpected as any, is the response from the Moot: they've sent the entire force that was present in the Sieges of the Drakenhofs as well as an equal amount of civilians, who boast the ability to produce a feast from damn near anything. If anything, it seems more like a migration than a military contribution.
?!
Seems they liked it.
[ ] Accept as leader of the Stirlander forces (commanding 5,000 crossbowmen and 5,000 huntsmen).
This is a minor overreach of authority as a Knight of Stirland. In this case we'd be confusing the dwarfs a bit, considering we approached in the capacity of a wizard.
We're quite likely to succeed, seeing as they know our reputation.
Martial heavy.
[ ] Accept as the most senior Wizard present (commanding two Amber Journeymen and one Gold Journeyman).
As a Magister we are actually entitled to order the others around, and the Amber and Gold orders get along well enough with the Grey. Not sure what they can do, but Mathilde should know well enough. IIRC the Amber wizards are buffers(though the Dwarfs are likely to refuse) and melee based.
Gold wizards are enchanters(the dwarfs again are likely to refuse) and mass debuffers for any weapon users.
[ ] Accept simply as yourself.
Responsible for ourselves alone as a stealth unit
[ ] Decline.
Declines command.
Personal preference:
[X] Accept as the most senior Wizard present (commanding two Amber Journeymen and one Gold Journeyman).
[X] The Amber Wizard journeymen.
[X] Ulthar Alriksson, Head Ranger
[X] Spend time with your wolf pup, trying to develop a famliar bond.
We speak for the wizards, since the dwarfs don't trust magic a lot, but as a Magister we're considered a Guild Master and can advise more extensive magic used than otherwise.
We then talk to the Head Ranger to organize recon efforts as a Hero unit, and the Amber wizards so we can you know, speak for their objectives.
Then form the familiar bond. We'd need it.