Regardless, you pushed further on, and are currently entering the wizard's lab. (Where the secret passage ends, of course.). The party has been reduced to the human leader of the group, the dwarf, Sigmund, who, along with the usual dwarven skills at tunneling, happens to be a locksmith, (as evidenced with his gaining entrance to the crypt and the passage,), Jerrik, your kobold companion/servant/slave, and yourself. Your neck still feels like it's on fire every time you move it, but most of the bleeding has stopped.

"So...." the surviving human, the one you mentally labeled as 'leader', (of the party, not you, of course. Though he is the one who agreed your pay.) "This looks... potentially hazardous."
While you have only minimal respect for him, being a human, and all, you can't really argue. Along the walls are shelves with strange alchemical appratuses, some apparently empty, others bubbling unsettlingly. In the four corners, you can see fountains, two of which are pretty impressive. One has earth, silt, and rock flowing and shifting like thick water, spraying a few inches over the spout, and back into the bowl. Another seems to be full of blazing oil, a candescent umbrella of flame, that falls continously into the fountain bowl, also aflame. Of the remaining two fountains, one looks mostly normal, and another looks totally empty, unique only for the glass dome over it.
Near you, there is a golden sixteen-pointed star inscribed in an octogon of what looks like platinum. You practically start salivating at the value of the metal work, wishing you had a chisle.
"Now would be the time for us ta move, yes?" Sigmund says, shoving the trapdoor all the way open, and gently lowering down the ladder.

Thus we bear witness to the dangers of typing things up in wordpad first. No indents and no double-spacing on /tg/.

>>12185900
>Thus we bear witness to the dangers of typing things up in wordpad first. No indents and no double-spacing on /tg/.

...standing...
...ovation...

Hello there Writer-dude. I am humbly requesting to take part in your thread, and was wondering if there was anything I should know about before diving in. I've never participated in a quest-ish thread before, but I liked the show you put on for us yesterday and I would like to contribute.

>>12185963
>10 IF sarcasm THEN I am functioning on less sleep than I'd like. I'll try to avoid it in the future. GOTO 30
>20 IF Honest THEN Thanks.
>30 End.

>>12186009
If that's genuinely the case, you should know I was feeling guilty about my shit-all reliability, and random gaps between my posts. Think I can do better today, though I'll still need a half hour for dinner in a bit.

That said, if it's your first quest thread, just offer suggestions. I left out the "Wat do?" that some have, but, though crude, that's essentially the prompt. What do you think you/we/character should do?

The PC is the dragon, obviously.

Do we know what we're looking for in particular or anything about this wizard we are robbing?

>>12186108
Not particularly. From what you gather, he isn't supposed to be here, and he allegedly returns at some point tomorrow.

It may be a reasonable conclusion that the ghouls in the crypt below were something he thought he could deal with without breaking a sweat, if he ever had to use his escape route.

>>12186126
Hm... Alright. Lets go ahead and follow the lead of our group for now. We don't know what other surprises may be in store for the nosy and unwelcome. If we can, we should see if we can find out any information about the wizard who owns the place and what it is we're after. Perhaps it would give us a hint on what to expect as we delve deeper.

>>12186011
>writefag
>pseudocode

The next thing you know hawks will fly and bill gates will be giving away his wealth to help the poor

>Freeport

OP, do you have a very large beard by any chance?

>>12186152
"After you." you offer, and the dwarf proceeds down. Not that there was ever a choice, it'd be extremely difficult for anyone to pass anyone else in this tunnel.

Halfway down the ladder, you hear a quite "Shit." from Sigmund. puzzled, you glance around, until you notice a form coalescing in the summon circle, and the shimmering, iridescent walls in the air above interior of the star. You're forced for resume your descent by Jerrik, you kobold, climbing down above you.

'Shit' indeed...
type 'dice 1d100' into the email field, please.
>>12186163
Hey, just because I like computers doesn't mean I'm a cold, emotionless automaton who strives to emulate examples like SHODAN or CABAL.

Okay, that's not true, but, well, just pretend it is.


>>12186175
I'm afraid not. I could find a picture of one and claim it's me, though, if you wanted me to.

rolled 91 = 91

Lets hope the dice gods are merciful today.

Are we aiming to roll high, or roll low?

>>12186255
holy... I hereby order you to participate in every quest thread you encounter, beginner's-luck-anon!

>>12186279
I just hope that we're aiming for high rolls here. If not, I could have just doomed the entire party.

>>12186255
High. You did good work, son.
[spoilersdon'twork]I was planning that if the roll was particularly horrible, (1-5, maybe?) it would turn out that this was a teleportation circle. Don't worry. It probably isn't.[/spoilersdon'twork]
***********************

The form solidifies into a beautiful woman, clad in deep purple sashes, and a veil with decorations in golden thread. "Welcome, intruders, t-"

"Oh, nae you don't!" shouts Sigmund, to our right, interrupting her.

"Uh, what?" says leader, dismounting the ladder next to you.

"It's a demon! Wizards are always summoning things like that up and using them as guards! Look, let's just go, find the library, get the scroll, and whatever else looks valuable, and get out of here!"

"Surely you jest? I am but a prisoner of the wizard! I would ask that you release me, no more." she asks, plaintively. If she's lying, she's a good liar.

"Brimstone." Jarrik says quietly from beside you.

"I think you may be taking too much from bar stories, Sigmund. Don't yo- What?" the human says.

"Brimstone!" Jarrick says, much louder. "I smell brimstone. It's a demon. Or devil." Jarrick adds, with a moments afterthought.

"I'll concede that point, but the my other remains. I am more of a prisoner than you are, and would be... indebted, should you release me." She says, advancing on the edge of the circle's interior, stopping just short. "Surely I could recompense you in some way?" she asks, staring at Leader.

Another 1d100

*************
Sorry for the delay. I'm having some connection problems... Thought I posted it, but apparently not.

>>12186415
Alright, here we go again with the rolling. Lets hope our leader is strong willed.

Would the demon be able to know of our true form, by the way?

rolled 81 = 81

>>12186457
Blech, forgot the dice part of dice 1d00, my bad.

>>12186457
Well, you know, he doesn't have to be out leader... And Quite Possibly.
****************************************************
"Don't do it, can't trust 'em. Come on, we have ta get the scroll." Sigmund, says, glancing at you for help.

"What is this scroll we're looking for?" you ask Leader, curious and willing to assist Sigmund. After all, Leader is the one paying you.

"Oh? It's-"
"NOT IN FRONT OF HER! Might as well leave the wizard a note, 'Oh, sorry, we needed to borrow this, hope you don't mind!'" the dwarf bellows, finishing with an imitation of the leader that has Jarrik cackling.

"He- WhOa..." Leader says, turning to look at Sigmund and visibly stumbling. "Okay. yeah, That sounds like a better idea, keep her from looking at me. Or... me from looking at her, yeah." From the way he's talking, it sounds like his head is spinning.

"Well, then? What are we waiting for? Do you know where his library is?" Sigmund says, asking Leader.

"No, no, I- Smaug, can you tell what's where?"

"I'm afraid this wizard didn't leave visitor's signs on the wall. Nothing saying "This way to the safe." or "This way to the master bedroom.", I'm afraid." you respond venomously. Translation you can do, but doing so requires that there be something written.

Which way?
[Winding stone staircase, left and down or right and up. Goes around the outside of the room, probably a proverbial wizard's tower. Stone, cool to the touch. Lanterns that glow, but don't seem to have any actual flame, hang from the ceiling.]


Behind you, the demon continues to plead, "Please, don't leave me here! I'm a prisoner! I have done no wrong! Release me, I can help you!"

Well, I have to head out for a night class of mine. I will kindly bump your thread before I leave in hopes that another kindly anon will continue it, and if it's still breathing when I get back I'll gladly jump back into the fray.

>>12186668

Well, this is certainly an interesting turn of events and as a dragon, my curiosity is naturally aroused. I bade the demon to speak her piece.

Alright, back. Dinner taken care of.

"Oh? Really? Keep talking." you say, turning back to face the demon. You think you identify pointed ears under her veil. Probably trying you, this time.

"Certainly, you aren't like the others? You can see the gains that they cannot-" Yeah. Definitely going for you. Mentally, you up your assessment of leader by a notch or two. You're getting her 'come hither' vibes, though, you suspect, seriously muted, due to not actually being an elf.

"I'm listening, but you're not saying anything I want to hear." you interrupt, shaking off what hold her glamour had on you. She seems startled for a moment, but recovers quickly.

"I can tell you where the library is, and find you the scroll you want, if you release me."

"Said the theif, ta the dragon." the dwarf mutters next to you. "Do you really trust her?"

Bump. Come on, /tg/, what's more traditional than dragons?

Very little, I tell you, except for perhaps dungeons, that's what! Get in here, you lot. We've got a wizard to rob!

Last bump, I guess. Hoping for responses.

>>12187194

"Not really, but I AM a little curious."

Hmm. Does a demon wench count as loot for our horde?

Regardless, releasing her seems like a bad idea.

What do we know about binding demons or devils to our service?

Also, Mr. Smaug is a hilarious pseudonym. Is it just a nod to Tolkien, or did our dragon somehow acquire a copy of The Hobbit?

>>12187551
"Well, words are cheap at the moment." You offer to both of them.

"I suppose." Sigmund reluctantly agrees.

"Indeed... It costs you nothing to hear me out. Anyway, there's three of you and one of me, even if you did let me out, there's little I could do. But I do know the layout of this tower. I would be happy to help guide you through it, and help you rip up the summoning circle afterwards." Her glamour isn't as strong anymore, she's trying a more subtle tack than pure lust, but she still seems ignorant of why it isn't working. "Besides, surely you don't think you can find the all the more valuable items without guidance?"

>>12187194
GET IT IN WRITING
whatever you do- get a CONTRACT in writing
Hopefully she's the lawful kind of evil deamonette instead of the chaotic kind

>>12187643

Hmm. Any way to get her services and make sure she doesn't fuck us over?

Anything she says about not being able to handle all three of us is a damned lie.

Probably an epic level fiend.

>>12187643
"Looks can be deceiving (LOL IRONY) How do we know that by releasing you, you won't kill us, or try to trigger any sort of hidden traps. For all we know, this is an overly elaborate security scheme- and even if you ARE what you say you are, what's stopping you from disapearing in a puff of smoke and a giggle?"

>>12187590
1), A nod to Tolkien. When prompted for a name, it was decided in the previous thread.

2), Difficult to quantify. Go with personal estimation.

3), Basics? Usually sealed with blood, as far as you know. Your own or a sacrifices'. Don't know the proper ritual or spells, or whatever though. Might be able to look it up in the library, but...

>>12187644
Good idea. How should we hand her a contract without breaking the circle?

>>12187697
Could we toss it to her?

>>12187684
"Not everything is as it seems. Do we have any assurance that you won't kill us, or try to trigger any sort of hidden traps? For all we know, this is an /extremely/ overly elaborate security scheme- And even if you are what you claim, how can we trust you would stay to fulfill your end of the bargain?"

"She's got you, elf. Don't answer, come on, we've got a job ta do." the dwarf says.

"Your ignorance is amusing, but truly, do you have any answers, Demon?" you respond calmly, locking eyes with it.

"I can offer no assurances, though I can tell you this building is warded against teleportation. Of course... trust..." she finishes, stressing the obvious irony.

>>12187750
You could try. It might break the circle. Might not. Come to think of it, there's a lot you don't know about magic. You've been able to do what you can do, but never bothered to understand it...

>>12187823
>>12187844
GAH! Curse our apparently lackadaisical approach to life.
Okay, say the deamonette.
"Truest is something built, not handed out for free- to get a little, you have to give a little. Show us that you are not just yanking us around- maybe reveal the location of trap or tell us something about the nature of this place, and then we can be to business about releasing you."

>>12187644
1,000 times this.

What exactly is our employer after anyway?

Wow, dude- heavy shit.
Whatever you do, don't trust a single word that comes out the deamons mouth- we're liars by nature, we can't help it

>>12187956
From what we hear, a scroll of some sort, plus whatever else is valuable.


>>12187890
"Give me a reason to trust you. If you want it, you have to create it. Give us some ground-work to build upon, here." you say amiably. She thinks about it for a few moments, before saying,

"If you go down a level, it leads to his basement. There is safe below the false bottom of the large crate to the right of the entrance. It is trapped in some way." From the sound of it, she thinks she's making a huge concession here.

>>12187984
>we
Ha-haha-ha. Do we sparkle, too?

Get Jerrik to check that shit out. Also write the contract anyways we could always use a demonic servant.

>>12188041
Alright, you heard the lady. Send the one most capable at dismantling traps/least likely to die in an explosion to the object specified along with Jerrik to watch his back.
Meanwhile, hammer out a verbal contract with the deamoness.

We're a red dragon, correct?

This demon should pose absolutely zero threat to us. Can we dominate it somehow, or subvert the wizard's control over it?

Releasing it is a terrible idea. Take her up on her hint, then leave her trapped. Seal the room so no fools wander in.

>>12188112
>>12188117
Do verbal contracts count?

>>12188128
We're a red dragon in the from a elf.
In a small room.
Polymorph will probably loose us our contract, if it doesn't result in-
*SQUISH*

>>12188041
"Very well, we have an accord,"

I think we should just leave her. It doesn't matter who or what you are, but demons are nothing but trouble. She may seem amicable, but she's plotting your downfall. Let her go and she will try to fuck us up however she can.

>>12188112
>>12188117
"Jerrik, please investigate. And... be cautious." you advise, as he runs off.

"Are verbal agreements binding?" you ask. You dimly think you recall a ritual to ursurp a binding, but you can't remember enough of it.

"Well, the obvious answer is 'Of course.'," She says with a grin, "But again, we return to trust. No, I am not bound by them, unless, of course, it is in my interest to maintain them, which it certainly is, in this case..."
>>12188128
>>12188159
You could de-polymorph in this room, though you might take out a few shelves. And I wouldn't bet on being able to turn around. We're eighty-ish, and in the young adult/adult category.

Finally, what do we want to hammer out in a contract here?

You know, maybe we should free her. We seem to have an advantage in the fact that she doesn't realize she's got the wrong form here. All confused that her beautiful-elven-maiden-form doesn't work on us...

>>12188360
Very well then.
1. By either action or inaction, the deamon must not allow us or our companions come to harm
2. That the deamon must follow our orders- unless knowingly doing so would conflict with the first clause of the contract. If such is the case, he/she/it must bring the matter to our attention.
3. The deamon shall be bound to us for a period of time lasting as long as we see fit, and shall not seek vengenance or enact harm against us or our friends, family, relationships, etc. either directly or indirectly following he/she/its release.
Are these terms acceptable?

>>12188360
>I am not bound by them
That clinches it. She cant be trusted. Leave her to rot.

>>12188420
Dude, its a freaking DEMON. If we free it, it will spend every waking moment trying to fuck us up in ways we can't even concieve.

>>12188360
Hammer out the agreement, get her to agree to it verbally, and then write it down and toss the contract to her.

>>12188473
Two things, really. One, she could have told us she would be bound by a verbal agreement.

Two, we ARE a red dragon. Neutral evil, all that jazz. demons are often content to serve evil beings, provided they know they're serving the greater evil, and all that. Just saying.

>>12188461

Asimov's Three Laws of Robotics, eh?

I'm sure it could find a loophole or nine in there.

Anyone want to take a crack at finding some of them for us?

>>12188768
Most of those loopholes had to do with the robot preserving itself, or deciding what was best for it's masters, or altering the definition of human- which is why I omitted the third law. It should work fine for our purposes

>>12188461
>>12188768
He cannot allow you to come to harm by inaction, therefore he is forced to lock you up eternally in an empty dimension, in which you will never be hungry or thirsty, and you will never die.

"So... Would you agree?"
"...Yes."
"Very well."

Picking a piece of paper and a quill off a nearby shelf, you write down a brief contract.

Stepping up to the circle, you hand her the contract. "Sign, please."

She takes both, lightly signing something illegible or in another language. With a finger, she burns her name out, leaving a blackened rectangle where she wrote.

"But of course. Now, how may I help you?"

>>12188825
"..... So- that actually worked?"

ALRIGHT! Even if she eventually betrays us, at least we have something to work with now.

Now, we wait for the rest of the team to get back, and then we have our new friend detail the layout of the dungeon, including traps, guardians, nasty spells, hidden buzzsaws, malicious cream pies, etc.

>>12188825
Shake her hands, break the circle, ask for a diagnosis of this dungeoun and the guy running it.
Ask our friends if they have any questions to ask as well

>>12188825
>burns out name
not sure if trust....

>>12188945
S'probably nothing- you can't let people go around knowing your true name.

Writer-Dude? you still alive?

Here lies Writer-dude, whose life was viscously taken away from us by violent bowel spasms... let us pray that his soul reaches the great God-emperor of mankind, amen

well, if he isnt around..... maybe someone else should try dming? i was just getting into this quest....

In case he is Writer-dude is actually here and just hiding waiting for someone to post shit we must do.

Break the summoning circle investigate what the fuck is taking Jerrick so long.

>>12189434
I don't know- he is the GM.
We don't want to risk upsetting his plans.
On the other hand, I feel for you man.
I've seen to many quests with good ideas whither away or be forgotten.

>>12189434
I'd say that would be poor form...
a Quest is bound to it's questfag

Also, I'd like to note that she only said that a oral agreement (hee hee hee) would not bind her. she never said that a written agreement WOULD...
If she truly is this deceptive: I like her.

all in all... she sounds like fun and can't really threaten us even if released from her bond... I say we break the circle post-haste

>>12189279
>>12189312
I'm not dead yet!
Violent connection problems, you mean. Modem on my tombstone, man.

.... Well, I had a post, but apparently rebooting trying to fix my connection problem (and several relocations,) lost it for me.
Post incoming.

>12189501
yay! your not dead!

>>12189501
sweet mother of tits thank the Emprah!

>castles quiconsp
CAPTCHA thinks we should build several castles in the nation of Quiconsp.

Jarrik returns climbing up the stairs a few minutes later. "Trapped with lightning, Lord! I brought it back, though." True to claim, he's holding a small iron bound chest, the type that might be used to store low-volume, high-value items. Jewels, for instance... you can practically feel a gleam in your eyes at the thought.

"Well, in that case, welcome aboard.... What should I call you?" You ask, putting out your hand. She accepts it, and gives a mock-curtsy. Though you don't feel anything to indicate the circle breaking, she steps out of it a moment later. She doesn't immediately vanish in a cloud, or attempt to rip your throat out, so she was either honest earlier, intends to do as promised, or see more gain in hanging around to manipulate you. Either way.....

"Anything reasonable. I'm afraid I got into my predicament by handing out my true name, and, as you might imagine, I am loathe to repeat it."

"Where's the wizard's library?" Sigmund asks. You hide a grin; you could practically hear the sigh of relief in his voice as you crossed the threshold. The demon looks at you for approval, and feel heady with the power. This sort of... subservience, you could get used to it. You nod, and she responds,
"The library is on the second floor, two above us now. He keeps all books, and all magical papers or scrolls there, as well as miscellaneous things. As might be inferred from the shelves here, he is not a neat individual."

Plan of action?

>>12189588
"after you, glorious leader"

>>12189588
Head to the library, have the demon give us the layout while we head there.

Try to get the location of any valuables without being too obvious about it. And swipe any spell scrolls we can carry. We're a dragon, we should learn any magic we can.

>>12189588
ask where he keeps his valuables and shiny things on the way to the library, also ask about traps, minions, etc.

>>12189588
Some background info on this wizard would be nice.
Also, ask her if she has a nickname, or perferred face name while we're at it.

I think we need a name for demon-chick. No idea what to name a succubus, or, if we're lucky, a [goes to look it up] erinyes.
[ http://www.systemreferencedocuments.org/resources/systems/pennpaper/dnd35/soveliorsage/monstersDtoDe
.html]

Also, we should get dorfy McLocksmithington to open up the jewelbox. If it's trapped, too, he can take it, and in either case, he can unlock it.

Why don't we ask her what called her there in the first place? Why would the wizard have a bound demon in his quarters if not for some shadier motives?

>>12189809
>wizard summons and binds a succubus

It's either a sex-pet, a guard, or an errand-runner. Considering it was bound inside a circle, I doubt that it was anything more than a sex-pet.

>>12189689
"Scinnari... I believe, was the name I last used among mortals. You may call me that, if you wish."

"What can you tell us of the layout?" you ask, as you ascend the stairs. Sure enough, the first landing above opens into a foyer, and what is possibly a living room. Looks unused recently, the wizard does seem out.

"The library occupies half the second floor, and it may be somewhat larger on the inside, I'm not sure. Suffice to say, I might be able to help if I better knew what you were looking for."

"We're looking for a... deed." Leader says, reluctant to hand out the information.

"I can hardly find them for you unless you tell me what it is." you interject acidicly. He doesn't look happy, but he doesn't argue.

"Two, in fact. One for a section of the old lizard-ruins outside the city, and another for the lighthouse. We've been told he likes to keep his library in archaic languages, Draconic or Old Lizard, primarily. That's what you're for."

"Right... Who is this wizard, anyway?" you ask.

1d100

Also, continued battles with the Connection Beast. I've wrestled it into submission once more.

rolled 36 = 36

>>12189892
rollan if thats what you wanted by saying 1d100

also does she know where his valuables are? and i second the motion to take any magical scrolls/books we find.

rolled 5 = 5

>>12189892
rollan'

rolled 33 = 33

>tgdice.jpg

>>12189916
>>12189918
Ouch.

Welcome to TauQuest 2.0

>>12189916
inb4 the wizard suddenly teleports in and ragefaces.

so, is this still going on or what?

>>12190220
Write-dude is having connection problems apparently...

>>12190220
OP's having connection problems, Brah.
If you want to help out, why don't you sacrifice a hamster or something to boost the signals power.

>>12190245
I have several traps laid about the yard for chipmunk problems. Will a few of those help?

Also caught a cotton-rat. That fucker was huge. Had to bash him with a rock because the trap didn't kill him.

I've moved to a place with better connection; should be no more of that.

>>12189916
"He calls him self Kazmiri, 'the Red', is his self-styled title." She says.

"KAZmiri the /Red/?" Leader and Sigmund shout practically as one, only catching them selves a syllable into the name. From there, the split off between "This is /his/ tower?" from Sigmund and an "Oh /gods/..." from Leader.

"You didn't know?" Scinnari asks, startled and possibly contemptuous. "What are you doing here, then?!"

"We were hired to retrieve those deeds from this tower! We didn't know WHOSE it was! There's no sign out front, it doesn't say "Kazmiri's House, keep out! Oh, gods..." Leader says, obviously distraught.

"Maybe we should... Just skip out?" Sigmund says uneasily.

"I'm sorry, but I'm new in town." you say, disturbed by this new development. "Why is he such a terrifying prospect?"

"He's only one of the cruelest, most powerful, and successful pirates to call this home!" Leader says, possibly in order of most-relevant to least. "He's even rumored to be on the Captain's Council! Oh gods."

"You've said that enough already..." you growl, annoyed. Unconsciously, you pull a cigarette from your pouch. You don't actually smoke, but it helps to hide the trickle of smoke you emit when you get upset. Such as now...


>Change of plans?

>>12190322
Ask our newly acquired deamon guide- what opposition can we expect?
What retribution?
Is it possible he may be able to track us?

>>12190300
>>12190245
I just used the walking-equivalent of wardriving. Turns out someone in my dorm is eating all our bandwidth, probably torrenting a game or something. I moved to another building, which seems to have solved it.

>>12190322
Tell them that if they're really ready to abandon their mission because they're cowards, then you'll complete it alone and accept the entire reward yourself.

rolled 68 = 68

>>12190322
"lovely... well we have his pet and his chest of whatever it is, and I doubt he will see kindly to our breaking and entering so we're screwed either way
in for a copper, in for a gold"

>>12190338
>>12190345
"We're getting paid, yes? Then let's complete the job, and get paid. If it's as bad as you say, just hold out for extra pay." you say irritably.

"He's... he's right. We can't just quit on us. He doesn't take back-outs easily, and we already broke in and freed his..." Leader says, cutting off as Scinnari clears her throat.

"Is there anything you can tell us about this 'Kazmiri'?" you ask, looking for a solution.

"I'm afraid not. I didn't even know his reputation outside. I'm stuck guarding his tower ", Scinnari responds, putting slight stress on those three words, glaring at Leader, "most of the time. Haven't been out much for the past dozen years or so."

"Lord? You want the chest?" Jarrik says from behind you. He's still carrying it, and offers it up.

"Shut that damn lizard up!" grumbles Sigmund, made irritable from fear, you'd guess. "So, we go on?"

>>12190370
I agree with this Anon. We've already broken in, we might as well go all the way.

If the leader of our little group is showing signs of hesitation, we should take the opportunity to assert our own dominance as the new leader as a red dragon should.

But first, it would be wise to know what we are up against. We don't want to seem too cocky and arrogant if we can help it.

>>12190414
" hang on to the chest Jarrik, we'll handle loot after we're done and gone"

"Let's do this quick, get paid and be gone from here right quick"

>>12190414
i wanna punch sigmund for being a dick to jarrik. but sure, lets have sigmund open the chest for us, or keep going and we'll get him to open it later.... actually ask the demon if she knows what is in it.

have Jarrick find a mimic and give it to sigmund.

>>12190343
>>12190300
Oh good for you Brah.
(Oh, and for future reference- the easier something has had it, the better sacrifice it makes. So chipmunks would get you average modem speed, while that rat would probably only get you a little bump)

>>12190428
"Look, we're already in, let's continue. I'll take charge, if you want," You offer, with a sinister inward grin, "Let's do the job and get out. In for a copper, in for a gold. Who's paying us, anyway?"

Leader is aware of what you're doing, but somewhat impotent at the moment. "I- Working through my boss. Don't know who the actual client is but-"

"Can we hold out for more from him?" You interrupt. Sweet power....

"Well, maybe, but he'd hate me for it." He begins.

"Good. He obviously owes all of us for such an unpleasant surprise. Your manipulations are pleasantly fulfilled as Sigmund grunts a grudging assent, and you see Scinnari smiling at the exchange.

Driving the party onto the library, you open the doors less cautiously than you might have. A sense of urgency has settle on everyone, even you, much as you resent it. Bookshelves stretch around the room, and around the center of the room. The center seems to be a box-lattice, similar to a wine-holder, with hundreds of scrolls set in the holes. The outer shelves are covered in books of varying qualities and thicknesses. Most of the titles have been written, or, in most cases, re-written, in a strange language, similar to draconic. This is likely the old-lizard you've heard about.

ACtions?

>>12190414
"Sigmund, I know you may have some animosity towards Jarrick, but please try to remember that he is my employee, and that we are all working towards a common goal. Now then, gentlemen, to business."

>>12190534
start searching I guess... start with the most ornate looking scrolls and work our way down

if we find anything related to divination, swipe it. might give us a little extra time before we're tracked

have jarrik help if he can read

oh... and give Scinnari a smug smile and wink... she will be fun to play with...

>>12190534
Glance over and see if we recognize anything. Keep it to ourselves, of course.

If we find something valuable, take it. If asked, say that we have a collector friend who would pay good money for items of that type.

When nobody is paying attention, scribe a quick note "This is it, you tired old bastard. Twelve years locked up in this tower and I'm sick of it. Your bindings weren't as strong as you thought and I've been scraping at them ever since. Took a few things for the memories. Ta ta!"

That should keep the wizard off our tracks. If we do this, be sure to not bring the demon with us.

>>12190605
Don't do that!
He probably has wards up on the more important things-plus, you want to give him a way to track us down, too?
No, just look for the deed- a little description from our partners would help us out here- grab it, and then GTFO.
DON'T TOUCH ANYTHING ELSE

You consider intervening between Jarrik and Sigmund, but suppose that, though you hate conceding defeat, it would take more than gods to quell the animosity of dwarves and all other races that live underground.

"Spread out and search. Jarrik, can you read?" you ask, switching to the bastard version of draconic that kobolds use for your question.

"Yes lord! Though... Only sort of. With this." He offers, reining in his enthusiasm. "I might be able to sort some." He offers. It's a good idea, for a kobold; he might be able to sift out some important ones.

"Alright, everyone, spread out, search for things that look likely, and do..." you finish with an exasperated sigh, "be careful. He probably has at least a few traps in here."

Again, Leader seems upset with your ursurped control of the group, but can't find objection to your ordered course of action. He hesitates for a moment, before sighing and heading off to search the library. You notice Scinarri smiling at this, and smile back. Manipulations are something you really do enjoy. Never had much opportunity to practice while growing up, but you seem to be a natural.

Starting for the shelf, you effortlessly climb up the framework and begin pulling down scrolls.

Dice 4d100
[Sigmund, Leader, Scinnaria, Jarrik, and you, that order. -50 to the first three.]

>>12190666
Sorry, it's me, still.

>>12190672
FFFFF- Captcha. I blame captcha.

rolled 63, 39, 60, 31, 56 = 249

>>12190666
5 names, so rolling 5 ds
use first 4 if I assume too much

rolled 64, 22, 33, 11 = 130

one 4d100 not including any minuses (we're supposed to roll 4d100 each correct? if not disregard this roll as i want everyone to have the chance to roll.)

>>12190720
Well, it was actually 5d100, as >>12190717
guessed. Problem Existed Between Chair and Keyboard, namely, me. Using the first rolls (Better, I'm afraid,) though, if enough to divide them up even-like, I'll take from each.
*************
>63, 39, 60, 31, 56
"Can't find a damn thing." Leader mutters, sifting through scrolls. At a guess, from what you see, most of his are spells. You haven't been so lucky. Most of yours seem to be archaic histories or treatises. "History of the Wizardry-Sorcery War", and a sister text detailing the aftermath thereof. "Founding of Freeport." "History of Freeport", "History of piracy" "Naval comparisons of Great Nations, and the Underlying reasons." On a lark, you skim through some of the last one, amused to note that none of the 'great nations' that you saw exist anymore. Well, Skaldarn exists, but it's landlocked, these days. Lost thier favored port and jewel of the crown in a land war, if you recall... Ah, these mortals.

"I'm finding loot, but it all seems to be spells." Sigurd growls from the right. Taking a break to go investigate what he's talking about, your... innate abilities tell you that whatever he's handling is /very/ magic rich. Probably some fairly powerful spells, at a guess.

"Good work. Keep them, these look valuable." you advise, encouraging him. If push comes to shove, you'll probably need his support to force Leader to turn over the money.

>>12190864
"Nothing... Well... These seem to mostly be wizards' texts." Scinnari says from the back. Sure enough, as you continue around to investigate, her section is full of books with labels like, "An advanced guide to magical theory" or "A Professional view on the principles of Evocation", and what appears to be a very old, well worn copy of "A Novice's Fundamentals of Magical Theory and Practice." Interesting, but not what we're looking for.

"I find little, Lord. Nothing of importance. Take it all anyway?" Jarrik asks, evidently disgusted with the results of his searching.

#############
1d10. Roll high.

rolled 7 = 7

>>12190871
Here goes!

>>12190901
huzzah!

rolled 4 = 4

>>12190871
ROLLAN

rolled 2 = 2

>>12190901
Thank god you rolled first.

Anyways, this makes me wonder.

Gandalf is roughly on the same power level as Sauron is, right? They're both Maia, right?

So then, by all accounts, Gandalf should have easily been able to take down Smaug on his own. So why didn't he? Yes, I know, dragons were created by Melkor, not Sauron, but I can't imagine them being more powerful than a Maia...

Was he simply too busy with Dol Guldur to give a fuck or what?

>>12191000
As far as I know, they all were working together to take out Dol Guldur. Also, Sauron had Orthanc, a fairly nifty place at his disposal, and all the knowledge and whatsits he'd accumulated there.
>>12190901
Glad to see our good roller is back in action.

Returning to your section, you choose a lower area, and begin looking again. Stopping to glance at the titles of each scroll, you're startled when one opens to release several other scrolls wrapped within it. Picking up a few, you skim them.

Maps. Maps of the coast, of the Island of Key'talaon [where Umbar is situated,], and of the Golden Coast, and Silver Routes, the area favored by most pirates of Freeport/Umbar.

Suddenly, you notice handwriting on a few of them. Squinting closer, you see in common, notations like "Navy brig sent down. No chance to loot." or "Northern Breeze seized. Too damaged to risk looting.". Of greatest interest, some have what look to be hideouts labeled. Supply caches and quarters, warded against scrying. Whoever the Kazmiri is, he stays prepared.

These are likely.. very valuable. You'll be able to look them over more later, though, as you still have those deeds to find. Where could they be?

>>12191027
suddenly im thinking we should start looking for hidden panels, safes behind paintings, etc.

Maybe they're in the chest we have? It was mentioned to be the kind of thing for small items of significant value. Seems possible. At the very least, if we found jewels in there, we could get our dragon hard-on going. (Hoard-on?)

>>12190871
Wasn't someone saying that we should look into learning magic at some point? I think we've been handed a chance on a silver platter.

>>12191027
>Also, Sauron had Orthanc
wasn't that Saruman? or am I in the wrong era?

>>12191027
Look for books within books?
Like, something out of place
A HISTORY OF GREAT ACCOUNTANTS

and witht hat I"m out

rolled 2 = 2

>>12191063
I agree, why not look into the chest our faithful kobold has found for us? It couldn't hurt (unless it's trapped, of course).

>>12191084
i agree we should probably take the beginner's manuals and the scrolls, but we don't want to get weighed down. i forget, do dragons retain their strength while in a humanoid form? if so then we should take anything we can get, again, say you know a collector friend or something.

>>12191085
Oh god. My bad. You're right, I thought you were talking about Saruman.

From what I remember, Sauron was supposed to have gotten a whole hell of a lot of power and knowledge by helping the elves craft the Rings, and then betraying them. Further, he was just willing to conquer half a continent and enslave the populace, and then plot huge schemes over long lengths of time, with the equivalent of several countries GDPs to play with.

But I think he was originally supposed to be really tallented. ACTUALLY, I just remembered, while writing this, there's a part in... Return of the King, I believe? Maybe it's the end of tTT, when Pippin steals a look at the Palantir, and Gandalf comments after a while something like "Maybe you did more good than harm. I did not know for certain that Sauron had [one], I might have been tempted to look in it myself, and he would have recognized me. All our plans would have been undone. [as Sauron beat the answers and plans out of Gandalf, mentally].

Tl;DR, I think Sauron was a heck of a lot more powerful.

Oh, and just to placate those scared by geeking out here, this isn't set in Middle Earth. I assure you. If anything, something like Forgotten Realms, with all notable people I deem unnecessarily amputated. And countries or land masses invented wherever I feel the need.

>>12191119
We are an unnaturally strong elf, having control over our polymorph, but no where near as strong as we might be as a dragon. Polymorph can only do so much to inherently inferior sinews and bones...

>>12191114
I'm going to have to close down soon, too, I'm afraid. Hope you're around for the next one.(Might have a short chance tomorrow, but probably not. More likely, Sunday.)

>>12191114
Feel like I know (or should know,) the reference, but I'm missing it.


"Sigmund, get over here, unlock the chest. Call me over when you're done." you order, thinking about hiding places. Where would you hide something in this room? Would it be in another room?

"Hey... Hey, check this out!" Leader calls. You head over, planning on cutting him down another notch, just to reduce your tension. He distracts you well, however. "Check that out! What do you see in there?" You start to answer irritably, when you realize that inside the central scroll cases, there is in fact a large chest.

"Do you know how we can get in there?" you say, letting excitement tinge your voice.

"No, I just noticed it. Might be able to move the shelf..." He says, grabbing it, and giving an experimental heave. It slides a few inches.

Personally, you doubt it, no wizard, pirate or not, would have a secret compartment that relied on sheer muscle. Ludicrous. But... Leader doesn't seem to have thought of that. "Good work. Keep it up, we need to get that out. Make it happen." you say, patting him on the back as you head back to check on Jerrik.

>>12191309
"Lord! Success!" Jerrik shouts, handing you the case. Cautiously, you open it, but not cautiously enough. A huge gout of fire bursts out, a blazing inferno likely to make a good attempt at incinerating all it touches. It's just a pleasant zephyr to you, of course, but it does ignite the shelves behind you. You mutter a draconic curse word for which there is no lesser-race equivalent. (Something about things to do with wings that probably is impossible, and certainly unpleasant.) The blaze is already spreading among the books and tomes on the far wall, this... isn't good. Thin, but choking smoke starts billowing out and upward almost instantly, but the cieling isn't that high.

Glancing back, however, you rejoice. Not only is there a small folder marked 'Properties', but it rests upon a small bed of gemstones. Azure, Emerald, Sapphire, Rubies... Beautiful rubies...

Ignoring Jarrik's desperate apologies (he swears he didn't know he was handing you a trapped chest,) you pull out the envelope, and flip through. Indeed, the two deeds are in there, along with several others.

The fire means your time in this room is limited.
You must leave imminently. Final actions?

[Going to wrap it up soon, folks.]

>>12191327
Spread accelerant. Might as well give him a final "fuck you."

have the demon do it if you can't.

Alright, I'm being kicked out of my reliable-connection building (01:00 here,) so just post what we should end up doing, and a 1d100. Highest rollers are prioritized, as many as I think it sounds like we'll have time to do.

Sorry, I can't stick around any longer, Archived. (Though I feel guilty about archiving my own thread. Eh.)

Continue at any time between 14:00-17:00, Sunday, or (unlikely but possible,) S-aturday. Hope to see you all there.

rolled 17 = 17

>>12191423
Spread accelerant!

>>12191423
Final note; that's in 4-chan time. Now I'm going to book it, and hope I can get plenty of sleep tonight.

>>12191415
Can if you want, though it doesn't seem to need it. It's blazing away merrily, and spreading faster than you'd think.

rolled 7 = 7

!>>12191441

Fuck.

rolled 525 = 525

Shit, that can't be good- And here I was hoping we could look around a bit more and possibly figure out what that larger chest may contain.

We should make it known to the others that we got what we came for and that there's no further reason for us to delay. Don't forget to tell Jarrik that he has served us well too.

rolled 40 = 40

>>12191450
Whoops, fixing that roll, heh.

well.. that turned out well...
looks like we owe our little succubus some gratitude, give her a quick kiss on the cheek.

shouldn't stay in the inferno too long though, let's head out

rolled 61 = 61

Grab Begginer'sMagic book, dorf, demon-chick, and kobold and book it. Shout at Leader to follow. Grab some of the high-level spells Sigmund found, too. Can always sell those.

Wait, if we're immune to fire, can we return to loot the chest?