"The Cavalier" by HughMyronBrough

The Cavalier build is a strategy developed for a COMBAT 2, CHARISMA 1 Aristo.

The Cavalier (Ruthless / Devout / Homelander) Edit
Roleplaying Aspect — this entails Aristo MCs who operate pragmatically, even if such action is unpopular. Skilled in the ways of the sword and of the battlefield, they'll utilize traps and careful planning to instigate a low-profile rebellion, until the hour of reckoning that crushes the Phalangite forces.
 * Jailbreak Start — Successfully stopped the Harrowing.
 * Any Background — Your past can involve anyone; it's doesn't matter who it may be.
 * Low Anarchy — Sown a small amount of chaos across the land, but enough to annoy the Hegemony.
 * Chosen of the Angels — Declared yourself Eclect.
 * Aristocratic Ally — Excellent reputation with the Nobility.
 * Tradesfolk Partnership — Excellent reputation with the Merchants.
 * In It Together — All lieutenants survive.
 * Stay and Fight — Defeat the Archon's forces and win.

Select the following choices as you go along.

[Italicized choices mean that the following actions are necessary to the build; non-italicized choices mean you are not obligated to choose them, and you have the freedom of roleplay.]

Prologue
['''Due to the nature of this build, the entirety of the prologue free for roleplay. You can choose any Background you want. For now, we will skip to Chapter One.]'''

Chapter One

 * "I'm not looking for anyone."
 * I was taken aback by how attractive she/he was. Lean and sun-parched, of course, but her/his smile and confident stance were strangely charming.

Breden is the game's way of determining your sexuality while maintaining immersion. For presentation purposes, we shall use a male Breden. The last name is much more crucial, as it is a tacit sign of being Shayardene noble rather than an assimilated one. For presentation purposes, the character's name shall be Rainulf de Eramant. You can choose whatever noble crest you like, as it serves no other purpose than aesthetic. This is where you select the primary motivations. Note that stat-wise, you'll gain an opportunity for massive Devout boosts later, so for now we'll boost your Ruthless and Cosmopolitan stats. This is where you decide your attributes. Your strongest trait will be Combat, and your weakest Intellect. We don't want to teach the Helots tactical knowledge beyond melee combat, because doing so offends the nobility. And now we get to the culmination of the Harrowing. No matter how much hiding you do, you'll be forced to confront your actions. In the face of death, you suddenly gain enough calm and clarity to say something important — something to define your loathing for the Thaumatarch and the Hegemony. This option is a last-minute outcry to gain some sympathy with the nobility. You'll still end up with broken bones and a shattered will, but at least you didn't die.
 * Our family didn't adopt Karagond names, we stayed with the old ways.
 * Our family was noble before the Conquest, and we did not take a Karagond family name.
 * A stag.
 * "The thing is," I said bluntly, "I think you're lying about the flood."
 * "…was punished…"
 * That was when I knew I had to see him again and keep talking.
 * The Thaumatarch's lack of ruthlessness when it comes to punishing his own corrupt and decadent officials.
 * The way the Hegemony's defensive isolationism keeps its subjects cut off from the wisdom and wealth of neighboring kingdoms.
 * "Of course they are."
 * "Nothing like a little sedition on a summer evening, I always say." Quelling my anxiety, I stepped into the sweltering little hut.
 * The yeoman rising of Ester Cabel.
 * Swordplay, pygmachia, and battlefield tactics.
 * Just pygmachia. I still felt an unease at teaching helots any combat skills that could be deployed against their masters.
 * Reading and reasoning.
 * "If Radmar were here, I'd offer condolences," I said steadily.
 * …was unacceptable—a liberty too far.
 * I swore that when he needed me most, I'd be ready.
 * "Revolt."
 * I need to stand still and keep a low profile, like any sane person.
 * I need to stay quiet and hope no one knows that I was involved in Breden's treason.
 * "Death without trial, based on the outcry of a helot? How long can your Hegemony so recklessly disdain the ancient liberties of the nobles of Shayard, Theurge?"

After this, you'll wake up in the Keriatou dungeon. A mysterious man will help you break out, along with Breden and your father.
 * I'm vainly searching the cell for some way out.
 * I thank him humbly, whoever he is.
 * "No—I trust you. Someone else must have betrayed us."
 * "How did you find us?"
 * "Why weren't you at the Harrowing, then?"
 * "…and we have to tear his bloody Hegemony down, no matter what the cost."

Chapter Two — Introduction
In Chapter Two, your uprising takes over a band of outlaws and runaways — the Whendward Band — and now has to guide them through a brutal 10-week Winter.

The major events of Chapter Two will include the following: Do not raid either the Helotry, the Tradesfolk, or the Nobility. The helots are your manpower source, the merchants will come in handy, and the aristos are to become your future set of supporters. Due to the small amount of followers you have during the Jailbreak Start, you can immediately set the rations to Healthy for everyone, and focus on bringing enough rations as possible. Never sell weapons, and refrain from selling mules during Winter if you can help it. Your primary source of food will be taken from the Yeomanry, with the added chance of stealing some mules.
 * Recruit rebels from the Helotry with the help of Breden and Radmar
 * Raids that will bring in more mules
 * "It can wait until dawn."
 * I'm glad that they keep calling me by my proper title. I'm not a helot, after all.
 * I've shared with them what drives me—the things I truly loathe about the Thaumatarchy.
 * Zvad, because of his long experience of battle and banditry.
 * Koine—the Hegemonic common tongue. Not all of your outlaws are Shayardene, after all.
 * 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 everyone in the band.
 * No—I want to be the one bringing us through the winter, even if it does mean wrangling a dozen different numbers.

'''[Note: From the Second Week and onwards, if you have any missing bushels, you can simply purchase them. Make sure to add one more extra bushel to avoid rounding errors.]'''

One of your primary goals are to recruit followers. You will do one run with Breden near the final weeks of Winter, and Radmar will do every other run.

Chapter Two — Week One
Order a raid on the Yeomanry's grain barns with every remaining outlaw.
 * I don't want to sell any of our weapons or animals.
 * [Set bushels to purchase to 0 to cancel the purchase.]
 * Acquire more mules.
 * Try to convince yeomen or merchants to give mules to the cause. (Requires me or Breden)
 * I want to send Breden. His persuasiveness is likely to bring good results.
 * My temper flares at hearing the news. We may not be able to use the mules for the sick, but now she's created the expectation that we will.
 * Raid the winter grain barns in the lowland farm country. (At least seven bandits.)
 * Raid yeoman farms for grain and mules.

Chapter Two — Week Two

 * I'll go from tent to tent to help my followers and offer reassurance.
 * Acquire more mules.
 * Send scouts out to find Alastors or Ecclesiasts with mules you could steal. (Fifteen scouts.)
 * Try to convince yeomen or merchants to give mules to the cause. (Requires me or Breden)
 * I want to send Breden. His persuasiveness is likely to bring good results.
 * Raid the winter grain barns in the lowland farm country. (At least seven bandits.)
 * Raid yeoman farms for grain and mules.
 * [Send every remaining outlaw.]

Chapter Two — Week Three
Seemingly, you don't have to worry too much about how you want to lead your band.
 * 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 me alone, in consultation with my deputy and anyone else I choose.
 * Raid the winter grain barns in the lowland farm country. (At least seven bandits.)
 * Raid yeoman farms for grain and mules.
 * [Send every remaining outlaw.]

Chapter Two — Week Four
Due to non-lethal yeomen raids (and a bit of luck), you won't get betrayed by Fedrel.

This week, you'll be raiding the Alastors for mules.
 * Steal mules from Alastors or Ecclesiasts. (Fifteen to thirty-five bandits.)
 * Raid the Alastors. (Thirty-five bandits.)


 * I'll personally lead the raid.
 * It's an enemy—the Xthon'damned enemy that I've feared my whole life. I can barely keep from howling with elation.
 * "Join us!"


 * That's all we can do this week. The rest can practice combat in the woods.

Chapter Two — Week Five
This week, you'll be raiding the remote monastery for mules.
 * Steal mules from Alastors or Ecclesiasts. (Fifteen to thirty-five bandits.)
 * Raid the remote monastery. (Fifteen bandits.)
 * I don't want the band looking to Breden for reassurance on this.
 * Raid the winter grain barns in the lowland farm country. (At least seven bandits.)
 * Raid yeoman farms for grain and mules.
 * [Send every remaining outlaw.]

Chapter Two — Week Six
Here, you will smuggle goods with Alaine in order to receive sixty-seven bushels, thirty-five drachems, and a boost to Tradesfolk reputation.
 * Smuggle goods from Alaine Leybridge over the Whendward Pass. (Seven mules or equivalent.)
 * Raid the winter grain barns in the lowland farm country. (At least seven bandits.)
 * Raid yeoman farms for grain and mules.
 * [Send every remaining outlaw.]

Chapter Two — Week Seven
Here, you will focus on mass recruiting. If you're short of bushels, buy them, or otherwise raid the Yeomanry for grain and mules. Keep going until your numbers are up. Send Breden to lead the recruitment envoy this time.
 * 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.

Chapter Two — Week Eight
You can choose any sigil you want, however you like. Send Radmar to lead the recruitment envoy this time.
 * 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.

Chapter Two — Week Nine
After your scouts break the good news about the deer, you will witness Radmar puking due to blood agaricon, a type of mushroom consumed in the absence of alcohol. Radmar is most likely just mourning his losses, so it's up to you if it's better to talk to or ignore him.
 * I hurry to his side to see what's wrong.
 * "Sleep it off, then, once your guts are empty." I nod to him and hurry back to camp.

Send Radmar to lead the recruitment envoy this time.
 * 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.

Chapter Two — Week Ten
Send Radmar to lead the recruitment envoy this time.
 * 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.

Chapter Two — Winter's End
All you need to do is sell all but fifteen of your mules, and purchase enough weapons for your followers, and have them trained to use them. [Hiring the Diakon is optional, and it's up to you.] During the celebration, select Cosmopolitan options.
 * Sell at least one mule.
 * [Sell enough mules until you have fifteen left.]
 * [Buy enough weapons for every member of your band.]
 * Hire Sybla to train your outlaws.
 * Donate 1000 to both the Yeomanry and the Helotry.

When Suzane/Simon de Firiac joins, welcome them into the band. Depending on Breden's gender, de Firiac will be the opposite of Breden, and thus the opposite gender you are attracted to, unless you opt to be bisexual.

When prompted about your last name, switch it to a Karagond version to boost Cosmopolitan.

Chapter Three
Have Zvad invite Horion and Linos into your camp. Don't be to overly friendly nor hostile (ask them why they are trespassing). When Linos asks why you think your rebellion can succeed, pick the words, "Others had no hesitation." Accept his offer to become the Angels' Eclect, and be genuine about it. [Optional: Should you want to get Calea's aid, harbor an infatuation on Hector, and send a letter to him for a meeting. Calea will intercept this letter and meet with you instead. Go through the dialogue, and then ask for information on Hector and the veneurs.

Choose to strike back directly at House Keriatou, primarily their wealth—massive flocks of sheep. Choose the option: Incite Brecklander peasants to attack the shepherd flocks themselves. Take Breden and de Firiac with you. When Alira and de Firiac get into an argument on poaching, select: This boosts reputation with the nobility.
 * "The first thing to do is to take back the rights the Karagonds stole from us."

When encountering the two farmers, tell your archers to put them down. De Firiac will complain, but you need the buffer to compensate for later with Uthwen.

Once you're about to attack the shepherds themselves, say: This increases Compassion, but allows you to get on good terms with Uthwen and the Brecklander village.
 * "As we agreed, no need for you to kill fellow Brecklanders."

Chapter Four
During the strategy meeting, only allow Radmar to speak up. If his influence is strong enough, it should be sufficient to convincing everyone to Stay and Fight. At this point, the Lacconiers will discreetly deliver you some Theurge-forged spears, which can take down Plektoi easily. Select "Lure them deep into the wild" to start the combat.

Sell all your mules, donate about 1K each to Helots and Yeomen, then buy weapons with the rest of your money.

Your actions over the game will result in various parties helping you. The Nobles will only make a perfunctory effort to fight you, and one will lead a Theurge and Phalangites into the middle of nowhere. The Merchants will screw around with the enemy supply.

Then, raid the enemy Theurges and Supply Train. Use your Spear against the Theurges. You'll end up taking both of them down, so the enemy won't have any left!

Then set the forest on fire to ruin the enemy further.

Then, the poisoning will happen. Disarm Radmar, then trust Breden.

The Plektoi will come next. After the first one, select "Rally the outlaws before they break." When you face the second one, run in search of a narrower passage, then turn and put its eye out.

After all is said and done, select "Today we destroy them" and get ready to finish the game. Simply lead the charge against the enemy, and you will win in one combat round with everybody alive.