“Of course. You know what I want. I know what I want. The simplest, most reliable manner, not to mention most enjoyable, is the obvious. If I assist you, I gain everything I desire. Such... interesting times, as a person like you suggest are far more enjoyable here than in Baator. For one, I have fewer superiors. As I mentioned yesterday, your second is as close to the top, and as far from it, as I prefer to be.” As she speaks, she moves behind you, and begins rubbing your shoulders. You enjoy the feeling for a few moments, before turning.

“There are things to do today.” You say, reminder to yourself as much as her. “That priest. If we are going to look into it, and the circumstances appear interesting enough to warrant it, we should begin shortly, lest the trail grow cold.”

“True. We already investigated the missing one's house, if I recall. Empty shelves, and indications that she was looking into her missing time. “ Scinnari recites your findings.

“And that list.” you add, producing it. It was not exactly a challenge to smuggle it past the befuddled and trusting priest.

“Yes... so it seems we have few options.” Scinnari concludes, leaning back on the table, “Return and investigate the house further, if you don't think we have everything, or see if we can approach this Captain.”

“You neglected to mention our third option.” you correct her, “We could inquire at the temple.” Scinnari raises an eybrow at you, and, realizing what she's referring to, you correct yourself.

“/I/ could inquire at the temple. You may prefer to wait outside.” you reply to the devil.

>>12269050
I've always thought of the main character in this quest comes off as a dragon version of kira

>>12269071
Don't know him, I'm afraid. I live under a rock.

>>12269081
And wikipedia was not too forthcoming.

Therefore, I must ask, is that a good thing or not?

We could still polymorph and drop a hint about the missing priestess to Kimizari. We have the diary. We know he has a grudge against Roteye. We know the priestess had dealings with Roteye.

If we can get 10k gold and have a wizard scrying for the woman we want to find then... heh. I'd say that's a win.

>>12269106
It's a good thing as far as it goes. Plotting, intelligence, and a very "practical" outlook on situations are the major points in common.

Also some megalomania.

Man I wish I could stay to play, hopefully this will still be around in an hour or two.

>>12269120
You know the saying about meddling in the affairs of wizards? I'd rather not until we think we could take him. Just saying.

>>12269148
Dragons also have some sayings like that, you know.

>>12269120
That's assuming our two adventuring friends were able to give the slip to the wizard. There's a good chance they didn't and spilled the beans by accident.

>>12269134
Sounds good, then. And megalomania is a must. We ARE a superior race, and all that.

>>12269138
Seems a slow thread, if only for how long it takes me to respond. I bet it will be. If not, (which I can't imagine,) you can check the archives.

>>12269154
True, but, like necromancers, any time they start throwing their weight around too frequently/publicly/much, or becoming too obnoxiou,s adventurers end up offing them.

>>12269134
not to mention having an incredibly beautiful and influential female cohort who wants us so badly that they let us use them

>>12269106
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Death_note

here you go, OP
Lawful Evil ftw

Disregard females
Acquire Power

What did we steal from the wizard's tower? I remember there were some maps of secret stashes, the book, the chest of gems, and the deeds. Anything else?

>>12269166
I do think we should go and speak with the captain.

And I will actually be here today, as opposed to sprinting off at the first sign of MTG.


Also, Light, or "Kira" is the main character in the Anime "Death Note", which is also a manga.
he has a book, which when a name is written in it then it will kill a person. He uses it to kill criminals.

>>12269166
>>12269051

I say we go to Cpt. Roteye first, learn more about the wizard and the girl at the same time.

>>12269199

And he has a rival detective that is similarly ingenious.

Think Sherlock Holmes and Professor Moriarty, only the protagonist is Moriarty.

I'll throw in a vote for the Capt. I would also suggest we go wearing a form we don't plan to use for anything other than meeting him. We should keep the forms we use for different things clearly separate.

>>12269193
That was about it, unless I'm blanking too. We also burned down his library, on accident, so I doubt he'll be inviting us over for tea.

>>12269190
Seems pretty accurate. I can honestly swear I have never seen/watched/read this Death Note, though I've heard random comments about it occasionally. (And I did try the wikipedia page on Kira, but didn't glean much useful info. Could be that I'm tired again.)

>>12269223
his real name is Light Yagami

let's go meet the captain

one of our guises has to be named Light at some point

>capcha: respect obsisaw
oh capcha, you crazy

>>12269218
Seems a good idea, suggestions? [1/4 polymorphs]

>>12269223
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Death_Note

>>12269247
lets go as Ryuk.
For the sake of the luls.

>>12269247
Sounds good, disguise= random human.

>>12269223
http://www.mangareader.net/113/death-note.html

Give it a read, very good mystery(?) thriller.

We also took some deeds from the wizard tower, I believe that's the reason we were paid to break in, yes?

>>12269269
I kind of think of Scinnari as our Ryuk

occasionally invisible magic person who does shit for us?

>>12269293
in that case we should go for someone entirely average.

Light Shall be our secondary form, with our winged elf as a primary.

>>12269340
>>12269283

What would be our pretense for being there? How would we get an audience with what is most likely a huge asshole?

>>12269375
the captain?
The friend of the preist?
Just tell him that we need to speak to him about his priest friend. ANd have our demon stay invisible with us.

>>12269375
Easy, say you have a business proposition. Successful pirates are businessmen as much as looters.

>>12269340
Our primary is just an elf. Wings optional.

>>12269269
>>12269285
I'm afraid I've already got quite a bit to read already. Further, if I actually was exposed to it, I could no longer claim these coincidences were accidental. (They are. Truth!)

>>12269283
"We should go speak to the Captain, I think." you declare at length, contemplating possibilities.

"I could go myself, and you could go to the... temple." Scinnari counter-offers. She doesn't seem heartset on it, just to be throwing it out there. The last word is heavily tinged with disgust and distaste, though.

"Indeed, but I might need your.... charms... to proceed. "

"Fair enough." she responds. "Shall we go as.. something else?"

"That seems wise. The more people we are, the less that someone who notices us will be able to hunt us down." you reason.

"Ah... but if they do notice us, and are capable, they might rapidly find out we are far more than we appear." Scinnari responds. Moving to the door, she says, "I'll be right back.".

Barely two minutes later, she's back, carrying two outfits. Stolen (or charmed) from other rooms, presumably. As you prepare to polymorph, you toy briefly with the idea of taking on Leader's form, but decide against it; he seems a local, and running into people he is known to would be too inconvenient to risk without deliberate intent.

Shifting and getting dressed, you head out, observing the clothes seem to be a merchants of some sort. Not exceedingly wealthy, you decide, but a good cover for a traveler.

[Dice 1d100, A name [for us-as-this,] and possibly a name for us-as-ourselves, though only the first two are needed immediately. Also, slightly longer than usual break as I go to get food.]

>>12269406
Oh shit, the business could be looking the wizard's stashes. Then we could polymorph again and tell the wizard, festering more bad blood, and then drop the missing priestess with connections to Roteye and a lust for knowledge on him.

He will clearly see that Roteye was behind the attack on his tower. Roteye is obviously powerful to be able to challenge him, so when one of them gets taken down it will leave a power vacuum we could move in on.

rolled 93 = 93

>>12269437
Kira. What else?

rolled 52 = 52

>>12269437
Arumakan Werdna for our identity, and Ckaz Eerf as our normal.

>>12269447
I find power vacuums are best left to sit for a while, where we push off anyone who climbs to the top of the pile, but ultimately let everyone else fight amongst themselves.
While it doesn't give us more power directly, it DOES force goddamn near everyone to tip their hands early, knowledge is power, and there's still a vacuum there sending ripples around the place, creating opportunities to use that knowledge.

'sides, it's important not to cash in all your chips.

>>12269437
Draconic polymorphing is somewhat different from the spell, IIRC. And from what I read in the previous threads yours is different even from that. Polymorphed dragons are usually found out when someone attacks them and notices that a spear through the chest barely phased them, because they keep main form hitpoint totals in all forms. I think scrying just detects that polyed dragons are magical, not that they are polymorphed. Innate ability and all.

Then again, technically only metallic dragons had innate shapeshifting anyway I think, and we apparently have lower HP in elf form. So this is custom to the max. What effects does our shapeshifting have and how easy are we to identify? Do we know?

>>12269493
I approve of red dragons having shapeshifting as a racial ability. It always made sense with all the stories of polymorphed reds and half-dragons/sorcerers/bards running around. I make all dragons have racial shapeshifting in my games though so take it with a grain of salt.

I also like that we have the stats of what we shift into. Gives more tension and cunning plotting rather than just rip and tear.

>>12269478
Ckaz Eerf? If you say so, but it doesn't sound very elfen.

How about our real (dragon) name be:
Cymarrthixis
Percivnar
Thal'krisian
Rimmenark
Vandissat
Althranis

Yay random letters forming dragonish names. Anyone care for any of these?

rolled 61 = 61

>>12269599
Tnavres Denmad
Nogard Suoregnad

I like both of those for names.

>>12269459
>>12269406


Travel is uneventful, but a minor annoyance.

The docks are busy, though you notice people keeping their distance from the Cpt. Roteye's ship. Someone inexpertly carved some runes on the bow, and just as inexpertly filled it in with red paint. The rest of the ship shows the same crudity, and, though it looks solid, at a guess a storm in deep water would send this to the bottom.

Scinnari chuckles as you approach, and you raise an eyebrow. "The runes on the bow is the name of the ship, in orcish. While a crude language, the it's a not-so-subtle pun. More than I thought the language capable of, I'll give them that." She whispers, finishing, "I would be careful with this captain."

>>12269629
It seems like the full crew is aboard, and on watch. Strange, for a ship in port. As you approach, Scinnari whispers "Crow's nest." at you, and you glance up to notice the lookout is watching you, an arrow knocked on his bow.

A warm welcome.

Before you even start speaking, one of the orcs standing guard at the top of the gangway shouts in broken common, "No one allowed aboard. Go away."


"We are just two businesspeople, looking to arrange something with the captain." Scinnari calls next to you. Even though you're not looking at her, you almost feel her putting out the 'Come Hither' vibes. The orc seems hers, until there's a shout from somewhere further onboard. Guttural orc that you can't understand, Scinnari curses quietly next to you.

"You. Leave. No tricks, or we attack. Been stuck on here for a week, waiting for a fight. The Captain isn't here. No one is allowed on board. Leave." a larger orc comes into view. face and arms a grid of vicious scars and mostly-healed lacerations.

"Please, we look only to make mutually beneficial arrangements with the captain." Scinnari says from beside you. A good thing, too, you contemplate briefly, as you doubt you could have made yourself apologize to the brutish thing. This time you're certain you can feel her working her magic. It's less effective, though. A small pause, then a snarl, and the orc responds, "He's out drinking. Drac's Dagger, down the wharves. No one's allowed on board." he finishes,probably reminding himself.

Strange.

>>12269615
Do dragons have last names? I thought family wasn't a big deal. Cyan Bloodbane is the only first/last I see in the Draconomicon, but that's a title.

rolled 71 = 71

>>12269639
that I don't know.

Type those names in backwards, and that tells you why I put two words in...

>>12269632
Better go find the captain.
What forms does the player have in this quest? Default dragon, an Elf, and a human commoner?

>>12269493
I'd like to say I'm handling this under a strict 'common sense' rule, but... Shapeshifting. Magic. There is none.

When polymorphed, we are polymorphed. A spear through the chest will kill us, not necessairly slow, but it will.

I'm not certain whether damage will scale along with total health if we revert while injured, and I hope I don't have to decide for a while.

And, as for OOC knowledge, I'll give it to you anyway, since it can be acquired from talking to Scinnari; We do appear magical; an experienced diviner or someone delibrately looking for it might realize it's polymorph-magic. Otherwise, for all they know we're a construct or simulacrum or whatever.

>>12269521
Agreed, in both cases.

>>12269632
Well, change of destination apparently.

Do we sense any magic about the boat? Wards or detection spells? Scinnari could go invisible and check out the ship while we find the Capt. Do tell her to be careful, a crew of orcs stuck in port for a week would likely be unfriendly to her in all kinds of ways should she be caught on board. Though, I imagine the hells would be worse.

Now that we look like someone else, part of me is tempted to sell out Leader and the other guy. We go to the wizard and offer our services of investigation and then we turn them in for lots of gold. Of course, we should probably go without Scinnari since he might recognize her if we're unlucky.

>>12269667
Naturally we are a Young Adult Red Dragon, edging toward Adult.
Our main form incogneto so far is an average looking male Elf.

>>12269667
Polymorph lets you be just about anything.

>>12269599
Cymarrthixis
Althranis

Those both sound dragonish either would be fine with me. But we should wait for more people to arrive before deciding I think the quest just started.

>>12269667
Whatever we shift into, reasonably. And I'll warn that, while the shifting is good, it isn't perfect, and can't be, for assuming someone else's identity.

>>12269686
>>12269667

As you walk away, you mutter to Scinnari, "Did you sense anything?". She looks at you curiously, but responds,

"Not at all, why?"

"Do you think it would be worth investigating? They certainly seem to be tense. They could be guarding someone. Or something. By yourself, invisible." you clarify.

"I can if you wish. I doubt they can catch me." she says, peeling off from you. She disappears into the crowd on your right, and you don't catch sight of her again.

The tavern "Drac's Dagger" has a sign out front, with both the name, and two pirate captains, one with a dagger in the back of the other. Mildly curious, you wonder which one is Drac.

Inside, the floor is coated with sawdust. It is dark, no candles inside. And there are several broken, mended, and illy-mended tables, chairs, and mugs. A place prone to fights.

Captain Roteye is easily identifiable, in the back, covered in scars, and with a large, jagged-looking cutlass. You notice he's actually sitting on one side of the bar, pouring himself a drink from a barrel behind the counter. Evidently, he's a regular here.

You sit down nearby, and he glances at you contemptuously. "You want something, human?"

"A few questions, nothing more. I am searching for a woman named 'Cygnis'. Have you seen her?

"Which time?" he asks, unhelpfully. It's a strange enough response that you ignore it, though.

"Both, if possible."

"Five years ago, she hired out a room on our ship. Strange little book-keeper, she was. Paid good coin, stayed out of our way, was always writing in a book, and stayed out of fights. Left her off on the continent." he responds, voice low and guttural, but speaking surprisingly clear common.

"And the second time?" you ask, after a brief pause.

"Sitting right where you are, came to ask the same questions you're asking. 'Do you know me?' 'What did I do?' 'Where did I get off?'. Hurgh. As if she wasn't here herself." he says, shaking his head irritably. "Why do you want to know?"

'Ignis' would be a good one. Possibly something like 'Ferraxis' or somesuch. Metal/fire/blood are always good for dragon/red/evil.

rolled 7 = 7

>>12269837
"She went missing. I was tasked to find her by a priest, one of her friends."

Hand him a coin.

"Any information you may have on her whereabouts?"

>>12269856
A coin? The man's a pirate with his own ship. Let's just say we could pay for the information.

rolled 78 = 78

>>12269892
Then lets order him a drink.

And after we get any information out of him we can, we should ask for job opportunities until his next port.

>>12269903
>You notice he's actually sitting on one side of the bar, pouring himself a drink from a barrel behind the counter.

We could offer to pick up his tab though.

rolled 53 = 53

>>12269913
...What else do we have to offer? A months service under him as a shipmate for free?

Or yeah, we can pick up his tab...

>>12269934
Or just, you know, money.

rolled 54 = 54

>>12269966
works for me.

Though the emerald is not on the table, as far as things to give him to get him to talk.

"I've been hired to look for her, she's vanished." you reply.

"Wouldn't doubt it. Someone starts acting that nutty, someone's going to notice." he says.

"Can you tell me where you last saw her?" you ask, somewhat irritated with the short answers.

"Like I said. Sitting on your chair." he says. "She muttered something about heading back home." he says, pausing to drain his mug. It's long enough, and he seems to have given you everything, that you stand up before he finishes, and adds, "Or to the temple, I'm not sure."

[sorry about the delay]

>>12269903
>>12269856
>>12269913
>>12269934
>>12269966
>>12270038
Hate to ignore so many suggestions, but he really doesn't seem interested in them. Unnecessary, and all that.

Either go and bother the Kazmiri, or go and ask about at the temple. Skimming through the archives, I can't find it, but I think the guy who hired us asked us not to mention him, and pretend we were concerned friends from abroad, or something.

rolled 94 = 94

>>12270071
Ask him to contact you if he gets any more information. And ask him as a side not why his crew looks like they are ready to take on the world.

As soon as he is out of sight, locate object on the emerald in our demoness's possession, as a warning of sorts.

>>12270071
find Scinnari

what did she find out?

>>12269050
we looks like that by default?
if so, fucking sweeet

>>12270134
Gotta agree, ask about if it's because Kazimiri threatened him.

bump

>>12270113
>>12270134
"Alright. You have been most helpful." you say, getting ready to leave, "If you find anything else out, please contact me." The orc grunts mirthlessly, but doesn't say anything. "Oh, and.. why are your crew so high-strung?"

"Finishing a job. Final delivery is taking a while. Damn wizard making us wait." he grunts shortly, "None of your business."

Unable to argue, you leave. Just in time, too, as, with several shouts, a barfight starts up behind you as you exit.

Ignoring the sailors, you head back to the docks, and climb on some crates to watch the harbor. a dozen minutes or so later, you feel an invisible hand laid upon your leg.

"I'm done." Scinnari says, keeping it short, until you're in a relatively quiet place. The spell drops instantly, and she's standing beside you, looking like her usual self, an exotically dressed elf with black feathery wings. "They're on edge, eleven of them. Captain wasn't there. Two of them were below the decks, guarding a chest in the hold. I was unable to look inside, one of them was sitting on it, but a human could have fit in there, albeit uncomfortably." she says, reporting her findings concisely, yet without hurry. "You?"

"I spoke to the captain. He says she saw him recently, asking about her missing years. Apparently some of it was spent on his ship, observing and taking notes." you say, gears turning in your mind. He could be lying, but he could not be. It would depend on what's in the chest, but you can't come up with a reason for him to kidnap the librarian. Even for an intelligent orc, he doesn't seem the type to take interests in possessions unless they affect him directly.

Scinnari seems to agree with your reasoning; "I have no specific reason, but I think it a safe call that it wasn't the orcs out, though I concede that we don't have much to go on here. Where do you think we should try next?" she asks.

a plan Ill give you a plan...
Set something on fire
preferably something that will cause panick and confusion while everyones milling about we go in beat up the guards break open the crate and trololol our way out

>>12270161
No. We're a younger version of this. I've just been trying to use different thread pictures every time.

rolled 30 = 30

>>12270290
Everything points to the wizard.

Lets go to the temple, and check there, as I don't want to go up against the wizard just yet.

>>12270346
explosives I presume?
as long as it doesnt take too long and doesnt involve us getting caught and hunted

and what does our faithful accomplice look like anyways?

>>12270357
>>12270161
We aspire to end up like this dude. Or rather, for this to be us. Possibly even for this to be the interior of our throneroom, or something, if we're following Scinnari's promises of Empire.

>>12270290
I think it's time to inform Kazimiri that we know who raided his tower. That poor priestess just didn't know who she was messing with, apparently. And it was foolish of that orc captain, agreeing to smuggle her out of the city and all. Though I can't blame him, I heard she offered to reveal the location of some of your private stashes, lord. Now about that reward...?

Admittedly, this is dangerous. He could see we are polymorphed, but we could play that off as not wanting to reveal who is squealing. Probably. He could also suspect us, though. It's risky.

>>12270399
>looks
An elf, fairly tanned skin, for one, and about three inches shorter than us. Wears a veil over her face, similar to this, except, just a veil, not a whole head-covering.

She has large, black-feathered wings coming from her shoulders. In a previous thread, we were going around as an avariel, (sp? I think that's what they're called, the winged elves,) couple. Aside from the veil, she's dressed all desert-like, in very nice clothes. (she seems to have mastered the art of shape-shifting /with/ clothes.)

>>12270415
Then again, what if the wizard kidnapped her or knows she is in the trunk?

Unlikely I suppose, he was out to sea at the time. But if he wanted to hit that ship to get her he would also know we were lying.

>>12270444
Using the highly technical term 'desert-like' because while I can envision it, I can't focus on the individual components or names thereof.
>>12270399
>>12270415
>>12270399
>>12270346
Two for a distraction and looting the boat, one for wizard, and one for temple first. Verdict?

>>12270444
>>12270399
Personally, I prefer to combine that with this.

Though the wings are interesting. I mean, a succubus has leathery wings, but an erinyes has feathery ones.. black feathery ones. Fallen angel much?

>>12270491
Boat.

You know, I wonder if we can dive underwater, dragon transform, then rip open a hole in the ship from below. Afterward we could use the invisibility gem to surface and fly off with our prize. Opinions?

We'll have to make sure the orcs guarding it are dead, of course.

>>12270394
>>12270399
>>12270547
Roll for it. 3d100, let's see how this works out.

>>12270547
And by the orcs guarding it I only mean the two in the hold and whoever rushes down fast enough to see us. We don't want to be noticed.

Think we can alter our coloration/scales or whatever to look like a sea serpent too? Only from the neck up, we'll still need to fly off invisible afterward.

rolled 44, 59, 12 = 115

>>12270565
Come on, good rolls.

rolled 60, 1, 32 = 93

OH PLEASE GODS OF DICE LET THESE NUMBERS FALL FAVORABLY FOR MUCH LULS WILL OCCUR!

rolled 45, 34, 84 = 163

>>12270565
we gonna need a distraction first of course to mask the large bang as we punch a hole through the ship
either way, rollan

rolled 12, 7, 13 = 32

>>12270565
let's hope this works

rolled 81, 29, 29 = 139

>>12270591
I am never allowed to roll again

>>12270547
seconding this idea

Sigh. We need like, a freebie roll every session for /tg/ quests. These dice give the worst rolls I've ever seen.

>>12270598
Yes and you should feel bad for trying in the first place.

5 rolls, 4 well below average and 1 only slightly above.

Heh. /tg/ you so crazy.

kiradragonbump

rolled 76, 99, 25 = 200

I'm gonna try just for the hell of it

rolled 1 = 1

>>12270710
DANKA DANKA DANKA DANKA!

Don't bump guys, you'll just eat up posts and he can sometimes take a while to figure out how to keep the dice from completely fucking over everything we do. He's cool like that.

The average roll of those 15 dice was a 36 on a d100.

>>12270575
>44, 59, 12
"I believe I have a plan." You state, gears turning in your head. "Give me the Emerald."

Silently, Scinnari hands you the emerald, obviously curious, but not questioning. "To use, breathe on it, and then hold it tightly in your hand." she instructs, passing it too you. "Alternately, you can wear it on your neck. For.... True humanoids, that would probably be most convenient."

Growling an assent, you move towards the water. You're glad you aren't going to be wasting your good clothes.

Jumping in to the cold water, you notice that the water is lukewarm, not as cold as it is father out at sea. 'Probably the shallow bay,' you think to yourself. Swimming is not a practiced motion, but you manage it.Shifting, you attempt to shapeshift. A sea-serpent, or possibly even an obnoxious bronze, the perfect thing to pin the blame on.

>>12270940
>44
You are irritated and disturbed to realize you can't. Your own form is the largest you can get, and neither in your instinctual knowledge, nor in your learned, do you know enough to properly visualize either form. No matter, though, you shift instead to your true form. Fairly rapidly, you sink to the bottom; muscle does not float, and, even compressed in water, you feel like you could pulverize steel. It's /good/ to be back as you. A distracted portion of your mind wonders whether Scinnari would be as skilled as a dragon as she is a humanoid.... A distraciton, though, and you have work to do, before someone notices you.

Above you, you notice the swell spreading out from where you are. It's difficult to focus on the distance of the surface from inside the water, but it's presumably due to your increase in size. Moving sluggishly through the water, you advance to the orcish frigate. Stopping under a pier, you poke your head up enough to breath beneath it, before ducking back down. Hopefully no one noticed you, or, if they did, didn't realize what they saw. The most amazing sight of their pathetic lives, most likely.

The hull of the frigate itself is surprisingly dirty, for looking fairly clean above the ship. And weak....

Belatedly, you wish you'd asked Scinnari for a layout of the ship, but decide it is too late to turn back. Rearing back almost lazily on your hind legs, due to the water around you, you grip the hull on either side at one end, and wrench.

>>12270951
>59
It takes three tries. You obviously underestimated the resistance and mass of the ship. After the first wrench, you can feel even through the water, the shouts of the crew, and screams from the lookout. Some sixty feet above you, it must be a wild ride. With an inner grin, you give it one extra wrench, tearing off the section you were holding.

Your head and claws are sucked into the hole but the sudden surge of water, bruising and scratching your neck. Water is far stronger than you expected. Again, your inexperience with sea-related matters shows. It hasn't gone too badly, though. Inside, you see dozens of chest and barrels, supplies from the smell of it. However, presumably originally near the center, you see two orcs and a footlocker being thrown against the back wall. The orcs seem dead, or pinned under the in-rushing flow, so you content to grab the chest and extract yourself.
>12
Here, you begin experiencing problems. The chest is heavy, but that isn't it; fumbling, you try and manipulate the emerald on the necklace from around one claw, where you were holding it, to the center of your palm. Secondly, you can't breathe on it, being underwater. Writhing horribly, from the surface visible as a churning mass, you desperately move for deeper water. Then you drop the emerald.

[cont]

rolled 1 = 1

>>12270961
we will definitly need to retrieve that thing later.

rolled 1 = 1

>>12271018
fyi, I currently have my roller set to 1d1.

Im getting bad luck out.

>>12270961
Strong as you are, you're also huge. Something you'd normally enjoy lording over humanoids, you now realize you can't move fast. At all. The emerald is fairly dense, being a stone on a golden chain, and falls; you move enough to disturb it's fall, but not see it. Your arm stirs up a cloud of silt from the harbor bed, and the emerald is gone.

"NO!" you roar, in anger and defiance, releasing only bubbles. Refusing to give it up, you grab reflexively at the area it fell to. A handful of sand and mud is your reward, it might be in there, but you can't see it, feel it, or touch it. Irritated by the particles, your eyes start itching.

Panicked, you polymorph yourself into your elven form. You can swim; practically, you have precise enough manipulation to be able to fin-

The chest is heavy. VERY heavy. No longer held up by draconic muscle or frame, you plummet. It is easily heavier than you, enchanted, or filled with lead, possibly. A flailing tail, you follow it downward, suffering too much from the chaos to even let go.

Dice 1d100

>>12271090
One way to do it, I suppose.

>>12270961
>>12270951
OHSHIT!

Also, freakin' captcha.

rolled 84 = 84

AND THE PRAYING BEGINS!

rolled 95 = 95

>>12271108
let it drop! we can get it back later, first the emerald!

rolled 20 = 20

>>12271108
Why did we do that. Christ. How is our breath?

rolled 1 = 1

>>12271130
forgot my old trip/name.

Cant even find what I had for the trip...

Why did we transform back? Water is harder to move through but we should be able to swim pretty fast even with the chest. We can just swim away and out of the bay, drag the chest to shallow water, change, and reassess. All out of eyesight.

rolled 1 = 1

quick question...
Why did we not activate the emerald before we did any of this?

>>12271189
Well we were sort of rending the hull of a ship and killing things. That would probably break the invisibility.

>>12271130
>84
Below you. As the chest impacts the bottom, you stop rather quickly, feeling the pressure crushing down on you. As it's standing on it's end, and the harbor bed isn't exactly level, it's rocking, probably going to fall one way or another. Wishing you could take a deep breath to calm yourself, you struggle to clear you mind, and focus on it. You envision the emerald, it's green tint, the way the light catches it, and the way you imagine it would luck below the waves, with the sun but a distant vague brightness above you. Your attention is draw the a section of the sea, just as the chest you're holding reaches tipping point, and smashes down in slow motion. in panic, you dig your hand blindly under it, despite the silt flying everywhere, and your hand closes on the chain. Digging father, your hand brushes the stone itself, and you close your fist tightly. Pulling it out with some difficulty, you let go of the chest, and begin floating upward. The burning in your chest tells you that you're going far too slow.

[Another 1d100]

>>12271177
Can't swim very well, I'm afraid. If you wanted something like that, should have been a bronze. Reds have no affinity for water.

rolled 93 = 93

>>12271349
ROLLING!
PRAYERS TO THE DICE GODS!

>>12271365
Man, we best get that chest. If there is a human in there they are in serious trouble. Go invisible, transform, grab the chest, bail out. Had it with this motherfucking chest in this motherfucking water.

>>12271391
Stroking feebly, you aim for the surface, desperately hoping you have enough air left. A terrified part of your mind assures you you don't, that you will end up having to inhale, and choking to death below the waves... Something nudges your back.

You're almost, but not quite, too terrified to pay heed to it. Instead, however, a large gray icthyoid. You almost reflexive instinct is to revert, visions of knife-like teeth in your mind, but you stifle it long enough to notice that it is shaped wrong for such predations... has no massive rows of teeth. But a... hole in it's head?

Whatever it is, it's nudging you upward, something you're grateful for. Shifting your position, you manage to wrap your left arm around it, just above it's dorsal fin, and hang limply as it pulls you rapidly upward.

You gasp aloud, as soon as you reach the surface. Hacking and coughing at the water you've inhaled, you feel the creature pulling you towards the shore. Weakly, you pat it's side. It squeaks. What might be irritating normally is anything but, and it is with relief that you spot Scinnari on the shore, moving to meet you where you're heading.

>>12271365
One simple action is far from a reason to want to be another type. Reds are the largest, most powerful, deadly, and awesome of the chromatics. We can survive.

Maybe take some swimming lessons at the local YDCA later, though.

You know, I don't know if we were going for it, but ripping open a ship to steal it's cargo sounds like we broke the 'lawful' challenge.

>>12271498
Young Men's Reformed Cultists of the Ichor God Bel-Shammaroth. You know one exists.

rolled 25 = 25

>>12271494
Alright. Lets find out if she can help us get the chest.

(Yes, I will keep switching trips/names. I find it interesting to do so.)

>>12271494
Can't we turn into a merman or something and get the loot? The elf thing is nice, but in the water, aquatic humanoid is the way to go. Hell, Scinnari can come too.

>>12271512
That challenge was bogus anyway. Even LE characters can break laws when they believe themselves to be above the law, and Reds are naturally CE.

>>12271536
see>>12270951
>>12270940

I believe we can't shift into something without knowledge of what we're shifting into. Dragons are born with a lot, probably basic knowledge of the most common races of their region, but mer-men? Sea serpents? Other dragons of other types? Seems unlikely.

>>12271536
Apparently we can't change into stuff we haven't seen before or at least know about in detail.

What is preventing us from just going invis, transforming, and grabbing the chest? Polymorph shouldn't break invisibility and we really need to get our hands on it ASAP before the confusion dies off and something else grabs it.

>>12271544

Pssh. That's 'usually'. And we're enlightened enough to recognize the benefits of legitimacy and authority as well as mere power.

But yes, evil and all that, we're probably content to do whatever if we think we can get away with it.

>>12271564
It's a merman! It's a dude with gills and a fish tail, how complex can it be?

...fine, leave it to Scinnari, then. Surely an ageless extraplanar knows what a mermaid looks like.

>>12271544
No no no, the challenge was to not break THAT many rules and regulations. Remember we are superior to these humanoids but we must recognize we are not in THAT high of a position of power yet to just trample on their laws.

Sorry I'm late by the way guys.

Also, we can break laws right now, but when we move into a position of power, we need to be careful to not break any and give reason for the lesser beings to "legally" go after us. Right now, we are not in the spotlight so breaking them here and there is not a problem at all.

Also, again, I hope we are far off along the shore that no one would see us coming to it besides maybe Scinnari......

>>12271494
thank you dolphin!
pass the emerald back to our lovely lady and get that bawks quickly now

>>12271625
Why would we CARE what humans think? When we are established we simply rule them, either openly or by subterfuge. We are the law, therefore we can't break it. Besides, do you think dragonslayers will care if we have broken laws or not? Hell no.

>>12271625
If someone does see up coming up and it's the captain of the ship/crew, our explanation is simple. We WERE planning on sneaking on board the ship but a giant reptile attacked the ship and escaped just as quick and we barely escaped with our lives.

And it's all true too.

>>12271533
Dozens of people are about. Apparently, this might have been a better plan for at-night, though at least the mid-afternoon sunlight probably kept everyone blinded by the sea-glare.

"Saved by a dolphin! Whatever that monstrosity was, it missed this poor one!" you hear an annoyingly pious-sounding voice. Scinnari reaches out and pulls you onto the dock. Already you feel better, but you don't feel well. Something she seems to recognize. "Are we still alive?" she asks, helping you stand up. From somewhere she's produced a cloak which she wraps around you. Raising her voice, she calls, "Thank you for your concern, but please, he needs room. You should go see if there are others." Somehow, be it assisted by her charms, or a well reasoned suggestion, the clear out.

"The chest!" you gasp quietly, pausing to heave up what feels like a bucket of salt water, but probably is no more than a few cups, "Bottom. Lined with lead, or something, " you say, finishing with a draconian swearword. "I have to get it."

"No." Scinnari orders, rather than says, "You almost killed yourself. No. Either she isn't there, and you would be risking yourself for nothing, or she is, and is probably already dead. No. Don't risk yourself."

"That was all for the chest." you whisper back, "What if they retrieve it, or it's taken? I'm going back." you start to move towards the edge of the dock, but Scinnari wraps her arms around you. Whispering in your ear, she pleads,

"Please. Don't do it. What could there be in there that is worth more than your life? You are too much. Too much for you to risk, and far too much for me to risk. Do you think my promises of empire hollow? Mere words? You represent all that and more to me, please, don't risk it for a second rate god's third rate librarian."

>>12271671
If we move to rule this area we have been plopped into, it is best to take advantage of a system that is already set-up. Learn patience. What better way to be able to have the fealty of a nation, and they can't do shit about it because you did it in a perfectly "legal" way. Whether it is, become a High Captain, then usurp control and add "progressive" ideas to the council and get backing by whoever we deem necessary. We can take full control, have a large deadly navy and army backing us, as well as get phat loot that normally would take centuries to accumulate in a matter of possibly decades. Keep in mind, that Red Dragons ARE chaotic evil, but that doesn't mean we can't abuse a lawful power structure to our benefit.

[Hate to break the tone, but I must interject; my standing is fairly neutral here. Yes, Red dragons are 'chaotic evil', but, like certain drow, that isn't always true. (snarksnark) I'm not suggesting we become idealistic do-gooders, but we could become perfectly willing to take precautions against law, or to use the law to our own ends. (Suddenly, everyone who opposes us is arrested on charges of tax evasion!). 'Generally chaotic evil', but we could be an exception.]

>>12271744
rest for a bit

tell her of our plan then carry the remainder of it out

>>12271744
Well, if we didn't grab it in the water there's no sense in doing so now. If whatever is in there lives it's dead. If it's not alive all we have to do is watch over it until nightfall. The only if is "what if it's texts or scrolls". Though I suppose they are ruined by now anyway if it's not watertight, and if it is we can wait.

At night we go back in, unless someone tries diving down for it immediately. I doubt anyone would try, though. For all they know it's long gone and with the lead (if it's lead) no scrying would work.

>>12271800
I know, and I like the idea of being NE or LE much better than CE. But saying "Well we can't do anything unlawful." is ludicrous. Even a LE character breaks laws with abandon if they are superior. Pit fiends, for instance, don't give a fuck. I'm not saying we should go around burning villages for the hell of it, but confining ourselves to "welp it's human law that we shouldn't do that, OH WELL" is retardomax.

I'm just trying to point this out to all the people saying we should be all LAWFUL HUMAN CODE 4 EVAH IT WILL PROTECT US.

Because it won't. Humans don't apply human law to chromatic dragons. Dragonslayers are heroes, not murderers.

Hey, people. I'd just like to ask, what could it be that's so heavy in there? What's really dense and heavy? That pirates are also fond of keeping? Hmm.... Sure it will come to me in a moment...

Fuck, I'm just hoping that priestess wasn't trying to be smuggled out in that chest or anything. That'd blow. Acess to the library would have been grand.

>>12271853
...Lead?

>>12271853
Well yeah, that would be great. But it could be literally anything valuable. Lead blocks divination, see.

>>12271853

Cannonballs?

>>12271853
It could be anything. Maybe it's a boat.

>>12271801
I'm with this guy, rest for a bit and then tell her we don't give a crap about a priestess. We just want to grab the chest before anyone starts looking for it. Possibly at night. We should hang around and make sure nobody goes diving for it then try to recover it after dark.

>>12271800
Aye, I thought we made it clear in earlier threads that we were relatively neutral.....also we ARE a bit klepto....Admit she has a point, and I say we go to Roteye and ask whether or not he knows anyone in the Council that was willing to hire people to hit the Wizards tower. See if it gets a reaction, if it does we probably know he asked us to, and then ask how our liabilities are and if they caved or not. Also, if cap or crew saw us now, they wouldn't recognize us because we aren't in our human form.....

>>12271893
In his defense, I've never heard of pirates being particularly fond of lead.

>>12271896
And, in some cases, teleportation.


And two for waiting, none opposed? Is that the verdict.

What gave us the bright idea in the first place that transforming back into a humanoid shape was smart with a human sized chest weighing us down underwater? Aren't we supposed to be like 16 int and wis with 80+ years of experience?

>>12271952
Alright, post incoming...

If it's a human they would have a zone of clear air or something cast inside the chest anyway or they would suffocate, even out of the water. Therefore even if it's a person they will be fine for a few hours submerged. I say wait.

Roteye is going to be PISSED at the wizard for this.

Delicious conflict.

GO BACK FOR THE CHEST NOW

Wasn't the whole point of this little expedition to see if the priestess is in the chest?
We should probably go after it before the air runs out.

>>12272067
I voted for the chest because it was obviously something valuable. I hope the priestess is not in it, because that wouldn't be nearly enough to compensate us. Seriously, fuck the priestess. If we find out what happens to her awesome, otherwise oh well.

>>12271744
"Who's risking anything for some librarian? If she's in that chest, I will be very disappointed. It seemed like a larger prize."

>>12272131
My feelings exactly, brother anon.

"Please?"

Her plea hangs in the air, a massive contrast to her original tone. You find it difficult to disagree with her, and, beyond sheer stubbornness, can't thing of any good reason to overrule.

"Well? Is the potential, is even sheer certainty of her being there, is that worth such a risk?" Scinnari prompts again. Turning back to her, you concede that you were wrong.

"No. You are right; it i-" you're cut off as she kisses you fiercely. Even compared to prior such instances, this one is... enjoyable. Passionate. To make the understatement of your lifetime. Only at length does it break it off, both of you gasping for air. You notice her eyes are flickering, as if reflecting an unseen fire's light. "Thank you." she says, heartfelt words. "Wait here, I'll go get you some clothes." While you might be inclined to argue, you /are/ on a dock in the middle of the harbor. Sitting down under the cloak, you suspect you would be shivering miserably, if you were not always a warmer than average person. Some things are hard to change with polymorphing, you reflect.

You jump and spin as something climbs out of the water next to you. After a moment, you recognize the drenched form as Jarrik.

"She gone, Lord? Good. Good. Haven't seen you in time. Glad she ha'n't turned on you. Jarrik not like her. Suspect she not like Jarrik."

"Why?" you ask, taken aback.

"Demon, devil. Infernal, abyssal. Always bad. Many think they above them. Look at wizard! What happen? Library burned, safe looted."

"Most are physically inferior to her, Jarrik. I, however..." you begin, though Jarrik cuts you off.

"I know, Lord! Forgive Jarrik. Jarrik may be wrong. Jarrik knows he is just kobold! Jarrik's knowledge is based off of own and other kobold's interactions with demons. Devils. Never end well. But Lord! What I wanted to tell you, Lord! I have found group of kobolds in city. 'Gang'." Jarrik mutters the word distastefully, "City kobolds. Jarrik dislike. Jarrik knows he could be wrong!" he adds the disclaimer to forestall any complaint, "But Jarrik told them. Told them of Great Red Lord. They... do not know. They are uncertain. But... Jarrik thinks they would be willing to believe."

Glancing down the pier, Jarrik looks back to you. "Jarrik hopes he has done well, Lord. Jarrik will wait if you command, but Jarrik would prefer SHe not know."

Somewhat stunned by the latent intelligence and higher thoughts of Jarrik, you ponder what to say. Surely he as acted without your approval, but he seems to have done so competently, with loyal intent, and be faithful, disobedient or not.

[dice 1d100]

Well, here we go!

rolled 38 = 38

>>12272236
OH PLEASE GREAT GODS OF THE DIE! LET THIS ONE ROLL WELL AS WELL!

(for future rolling, please use this name and trip.
SWARMLORD#trolololo)

rolled 65 = 65

Oh god, dice fail, lets try that again.

rolled 10 = 10

Hmm.

>>12272224
Curse quietly to ourselves while we muse on how embarrassing this whole little fiasco was.

>>12272236
>>12272269
Email field. Also your response, verdict, or orders.

>>12272236
Good job Jarrik. Very good job. I approve. Tomorrow we will visit them, privately.

As for the chest, I think we should make it clear to Scinnari that we don't give a fuck about some priestess in it, and would rather it NOT be her in there. Her advice was sound, but I think it bears saying that if we knew she was in there then we wouldn't have done it. All we have been hired to do is find her. We stole it because we hope there is treasure, not some mewling human fool.

>>12272280
For a supposedly powerful dragon we sure do get randomly fucked over for no reason pretty often.

>>12272236
As far as I know, we never explicitly gave Jarrik any orders to stay with us or otherwise issued directives which he has now violated. Given that, this is an admirable display of initiative. Congratulate him for doing well, and if he does not wish to associate with the outsider then very well. We have no immediate need of him, so he may proceed to convert these city kobolds to our cause; we trust that he can contact us should something go wrong- or very right.

I rather like Jarrik, really.

>>12272304
Yeah, just about the only thing that's gone right was when we escaped that Zone of Truth spell.

>>12272304
Not so powerful, actually. After all, a suitably creative 8th level party could take us out. But we're getting there.

>>12272280
You know, it's not like all the cool dragons are going to fly in and taunt us, or something. From my reading, dragons have very few social conventions, almost none where lesser races are concerned, and they don't really wear clothes in their own form.


Sure, it's still embarrassing, but only as much as you think it is.

>>12272347
He's like a more intelligent and adorable Vorcha

>>12272362
The mental picture of a dozen or so blue green and black dragons flying circles above us pointing and laughing, oh lawd.
But he'd be more embarrassed at failing, not at being naked or something like that. How can someone as magnificent as us fail?

>>12272362
>but only as much as you think it is
Well, really, that's the only thing that matters, isn't it?

Anyway, Jarrik has displayed a commendable level of competence and personal initiative. I like that in a loyal minion. He should be congratulated.

rolled 74 = 74

>>12272397
AND REWARDED!

>>12272362
A suitably creative 8th level party could raze a city without much trouble. Still, if we were fighting a 18th level wizard and been wrecked I would understand. But we have gotten our shit ruined by common thugs, been verbally outmaneuvered in every conversation by a supposed intellectual equal, and almost killed by a slightly heavy inanimate object because it was apparently a great idea to transform back and try to swim, one armed, with a chest our own size.

That's right, we got our ass kicked by an inanimate object.

>>12272362
Well, anyway congratulate Jerrick for his intelligence and ingenuity. Tell him that if he continues showing such innovation and skill he will be well rewarded.

>>12272272
>36
>>12272291
>>Somepersoninoneofthepreviousthreads
>>12272347

"Good work, Jarrik. I can't say that I share your fears, but I will keep them in mind. Hmm...." you say, thinking. "You are doing well. Keep it up. In fact..." you say, thinking, "You might want to be in the hallway outside our room when we go up, or at least search it at some point tonight. If you could use funding. Or even if you don't need it, you deserve it." you say. Jarrik seems an excellent servant in all respects. Brave. Loyal. With initiative, and unafraid to use it. Competent. Surprisingly intelligent. In fact... something you recall, what was it he said when you bought him? "As the prophet fortold!"? That might bear further investigation... At a later date. He seems to have good reason to fear, whether it applies to you or not.

"Thank you, Lord! This one is glad to have pleased you! Jarrik will be there. Good luck, Lord!" With that, Jarrik returns to the water, swimming away, or hiding beneath the dock, you don't know.

Noticing the wet patch where he clambered out, you get up and walk back and forth, making sure to drag your sopping wet cloak over it. Stopping in the middle, you squeeze out your hair, and spot Scinnari returning up the pier.

A few minutes later, you're clad and feeling much better. What's your course of action?

>>12272423
Tell you what. Would we like to change it to 'rolling low'? That seems to have been our major problem so far.

>>12272518
>law of averages
>immediately we start rolling high
You know it will happen. I KNOW you know. Are you mocking us? WHY ARE YOU MOCKING US? WHY?

>>12272564
Alright, I concede that was an ill-done condolence.

I so solemnly swear to mentally up my perception of what our capabilities should be by a notch? At least +10 to everything? Happy?

>>12272518
It may work, but the dice roller seems to be malevolently aware. Commander Quest tried it, and results were iffy.

>>12272518
Nah, it's fine, but it's pretty vexing how random chance apparently overrides what should be simple actions. It's like making people roll to walk across the room and pick up a candle. Oh, sorry, you rolled a 3. The room catches on fire and half your stuff is ruined. Or an epic level character with +49 to hit whiffing against some peasants because the d100 rolled a 17. Critical failures I can understand, but damn. Modifiers are in D&D for a reason, most notably that a character has some level of competence regardless of the die roll.

>>12272587
Ultimate proof that the board is sentient and it hates everyone who posts on it.

>>12272587
Fine, tell you what, best of the first two rollers? The 'tearing' rule from Dark Heresy? [And this is 'two rollers', not 'roll double what I say'.]

I'm doing this because I kind of agree, yes. Sure, there should be amusing moments of 'Oh god, how did this happen, I am not good with plans', but yeah, less frequent than they have been.

rolled 12 = 12

>>12272587
pfft, I rocked ass on Commander Quest baby

>>12272620
In my defense, I have been using modifiers. I like using rolls for actions that are not simple, even only arguably-not simple, like escaping with the emerald, because it gives me inspiration. IE, our aquatic mammalian friend, for instance. I only thought of that after going, "93. How the hell do I fluff that?"

I digress. Come one, people, what do we do now?

rolled 24 = 24

>>12272518
IT IS UP TO YOU!

AND NEXT COURSE OF ACTION: WE NEED TO AWAIT TILL NIGHTFALL TO RETRIEVE THE CHEST! WE SHOULD PICK UP A COUPLE OF WATER BREATHING POTIONS JUST IN CASE! AND LEAVE A COUPLE OF GEMS AND GOLD PEICES FOR JERRIK!

rolled 70 = 70

>>12272631
Hell no, go with low rolls, see this shit?
>>12272657

>>12272663
Forgot my picture.

>>12272663
Thank Scinarri for helping us think clearly. Tell her that we're going to the temple and that she can take the rest of the day off to do whatever she wants. Also change back to what we looked like when we were talking to the brother.

>>12272663
Yeah, we're basically just chilling and keeping an eye on the area the chest is in. Making sure nobody goes for it.

>>12272657
>>12272669
Stop arguing with yourself.

>>12272668
Better yet, let her get them, and we can go check out the temple.

>>12272668
this

we worked too hard to give it up

we'll be safe this time

>>12272657
YOU! As I said last night, you are only allowed to roll in Commander Quest.

>>12272697
>>12272693
We'll get the chest later at night. When no one can see us. We can use locate object to find the emerald while we're at it. Right now lets go to the temple and tell the brother what little we found out from Roteye.

I don't think we need water breathing. We're going to have to go big to haul the chest anyway, and our lung capacity is more than enough in dragon form.

We should mention to Scinnari that we don't care about the priestess, we're hoping for real treasure. She seems to think we actually care about little human fodder. Can't let those kinds of ideas take root.

>>12272721
We have the emerald already, we managed to recover it.

I'm just afraid of Roteye or Kimizari sending down divers. There's no telling what washed out of the hull and they might try to retrieve some of it.

>>12272685
"I... I was not thinking clearly." You say, after a few moments. You are proud, rightfully so, but it makes it almost painful to admit mistake. "Thank you for... showing me my errors."

"Of course. Remember, willingness to consider that you may be wrong is never a sign of weakness. It is a sign of greatness." she says, a gracious victor.

"I.. I'm going to go investigate the temple. If you want, feel free to... take the rest of the afternoon off." you offer, a feeble reward.

"Thank you. You are magnanimous in victory and defeat. If.. If you want, I will return with a few potions for water-breathing, and we can retrieve the chest tonight."

"That would be most appreciated. Thank you." you respond. Your world has spun, but it sets rapidly.

Doubts fading to the back of your mind, you return to the subject at hand, and leave, walking towards the temple.

*************
The temple of Alset, god of Knowledge, is in the Old City, and visible from almost anywhere in the district. Not quite a cathedral, but with massive arching entrance hall, and a vast dome arching over the central complex.

A scribe mans a desk, and looks up as you approach. "Welcome to the temple of knowledge. Why are you here, and may I be of assistance?"

>>12272691
>>12272697
Sorry, I'm afraid I missed your posts. I'll make it up to you. We may overhear something useful.

>>12272816
I don't think there's too many options. See if we can talk to the Libararians superior, ask why they aren't looking for her, and any other information? That kind of thing?

>>12272888
I'm not so sure about that. I think we should talk to the brother first. The leadership might be covering something up.

After our business here is done, we should check with the dockmaster for any ships that have left recently. Since the priestess got the information she wanted (where she was left off years ago) it stands to reason that she would have attempted to purchase passage to wherever it was that Captain Roteye left her at when she first disappeared.

>>12272423
>>been verbally outmaneuvered in every conversation by a supposed intellectual equal

The rest I'll agree with, but not this. Seems like we've been mostly holding our own in conversation. Maybe slightly outmaneuvered in the long run, but it's not as one sided as you're claiming.

>>12272929
We've already talked to A-man. He said the church wasn't investigating. Obviously good reason for us to investigate the leadership.

>>12272888
[I suppose.]

"I would like to inquire about... Sister? Cygnis, I hear she has been unwell, and is missing. Could I speak to her superior?" you ask.

"I... you are a friend of hers?" the scribe asks. Perhaps there is actually fear in his eyes, or maybe it's surprise. Either would suggest that her strangeness was, or has become, common knowledge.

"Yes, from overseas. I heard she was doing poorly, and now she cannot be found at home, and I've heard rumor that she's vanished."

"Very well, sir. I'll take you to the high priest immediately." the scribe says, scurrying off, and signalling for you to follow.

You are stopped shortly outside what you assume to be the High Priests chambers by a man exiting. Tall, mostly balded. Tanned. Very nice robes; this may be Eidomon, the High Priest's assistant.

"What is it, Simon?"

"This traveler wants to see the High Priest, Eidomon." Simon responds, confirming your guess.

"You know he does not take random visitors." Eidomon states. Simon seems to concede. "I will assist you, if I may, Mr..?"

[We're all elfy right now. Same form as we were hired in, minus the wings. Name? (And we never decided on our /real/ name either...)]

>>12272974
Glad you think so, that's what I've been going for. Remember, she may have a literal eternity in age on us.

>>12273049
Forgot to also ask what questions we ought to be asking. Picture in consolation.

>>12273031
Light

>>12273118
Yes let our elvish identities name be Light. In eleven anyways.

Of course our real name has to be badass. Should also have something to do with fire of course. Can't think of anything right now though.

>>12273062
>>12273031
Nobody else? I suppose it's less interesting without our eyecand- waifu- CONSORT, but still!

We need to know:
-His opinion on the High Priest.
-His opinion on Cygnis (That's her name?)
-Why they aren't searching for her.
-How long she has been missing.
-Why she was let back into the temple (Glad we archived the briefing, I am.)
-And has she been asking strangely?

>>12273134
>in eleven
in elvish you mean?

Light in Elvish is Kalina which is gay as hell

Light Kalina could be "his" full name

>capcha: Whikes Jam'iyyat
or that could be his name
you so clever, capcha

Azaladon seems like a decent name for a red dragon.

Firkraag is clearly a good name.

>>12273208

This is a very good name!

>>12273208
So we're going to have no name of our own? Just stolen names? Lame, but whatever floats your boat anon.

>>12273274
We can pick a name of our own. I just felt I had to throw it out there since whenever I think of red dragons, I think of that one.

>>12273118
>>12273134
>>12273138

"Ivae, please." you respond, falling in step aside Eidomon. "Can you tell me about the High Priest? Why doesn't he accept visitors?"

"Thuron is busy cataloging many of our newer volumes. Such... unsorted knowledge is, if he so wishes, the purview of the High Priest. Additionally, if you will pardon me saying, if he met with every person who came by, he would never have time to eat, let alone work."

"But of course... And can you tell me about Librarian Cygnis? I heard she worked here." you say, exploiting your identity as her over-seas friend.

"Cygnis? An excellent librarian, but with many... oddities. Several years ago she was ejected from the temple, and only recently was re-accepted."

"Readmission? How, did she speak with Thuron?" you ask, feigning surprise.

"Yes, actually. She had collected many valuable tomes during her travels and agreed to donate them as penance."

/This/ sounds potentially valauble...

"Could I access these volumes, perhaps?"

"No, I am afraid not. They are currently being copied and catalgoued. We dislike allowing the public access to unique volumes." Eidomon replies, stopping at a table, and looking something up in a catalog. For some reason this doesn't strike you as rude, merely a strange mannerism.

"Fair enough, and I hear she has gone missing?" you inquire, this time feigning concern, "I hear she has vanished!" Now worry.

"Indeed. She has not showed up at work for three days now. One of her friends, a worry, indeed, has asked for action, but, quite frankly, we haven't time or resources to search down every undersecretary with a hangover. And there's always the possibility that she has vanished on her escapades again, who knows? She has been coming into work extremely haggard, and preoccupied with asking questions about her time gone. Very disruptive."

"Indeed... Alright. Thank you for you assistance.." you say, mulling over the new information.

>>12273309
I don't get it, I'm afraid. (As previously mentioned, live; rock.) Explanation?

>>12273134
>>12273118
>>12273178
http://www.candlekeep.com/library/articles/diction_elf.htm

>>12273325
Time to find our "employer" and ask him to let us see the tomes. Say they are relevant to the mission. Maybe, maybe not. Whatever. But they do sound like something we might want.

>>12273366
Indeed. All leverage-like.

"If youse want to see da doll again, youse better do what I want youse to..."

>>12273399
Addendum, he did tell us a way to contact him, right? Right?

>>12273337
http://forgottenrealms.wikia.com/wiki/Firkraag

As you can see, it's a red dragon. He was actually really awesome. A truly gentlemanly bastard. Devious, powerful, and twisted. Sets you up to take the fall for murdering a group of paladins because of a centuries old grudge against your father. Mostly because he was bored. If you amused him he would even let you go without eating you. I'd prefer our own name though.

>>12273208
>>12273238
>>12273274
>>12273407
>>12273412
Alright. Definitely a top-tier name, but, I must admit, I feel bad about stealing a name. Unoriginal.

And I'm glad this reminds you of such a classy bast- I mean Elegant gentle...man?

>Azaladon
Anyone object? Alternatives?

>>12273407
Oh, and, yeah, if he didn't, he should have.

Leaving, you corner Brother Arman in the library. Without your wings, he doesn't recognize you. At first.

"I tell you, you hired me. And I need some of your help to save Cygnis." you say, aiming for the heartstrings. His response is perfect.

"For her? Anything! What do you need?"

"I need to access Thuron's library, or wherever they keep new books." you say, "I need know what she brought. It could be vital!" you say, duty and urgency your masks at the moment. "After all... If I don't get there in time..."

"No, I can't do- Well.." you take a sadistic pleasure in the priests torn priorities. For a moment you're worried he'll get down and start praying for guidance, but he doesn't. "I.. I don't have that kind of authority. I'll... I'll see what I can do, but... I'll contact you if I can arrange anything."

"Hurry!" you urge, "Her life may be the cost! Every minute counts! Each one could be the difference between life and a... most unpleasant death. Hurry."

Leaving him with that encouraging bit of imagery, and, if you were succesfull, an imagined deadline, emphasis on the first word, crushing down on him.... He'd give in within the day. Within the night.

Dice 1d100

rolled 85 = 85

>>12273620
Come on not crappy rolls!

What happened to the ship? Did it sink?

>>12271744
>>12272224

Alright,Reading though here, and I think I need to try and make a guess here:

IF, there is no 'born' alignment, i.e., a hatchling red dragon and a hatchling gold dragon are not necessairly 'good' or 'evil', until they begin acting like one,

AND one only goes to hell, as opposed to to the evil god you worship if you are truly, baby-stomping evil...

THEN, I think she may be trying to secure us to the dark side. And not just the 'pragmatic evil' side, the 'Let her die. Just because. Sure, we might be able to save her, but that might be difficult. Let's not.' kind of evil....

>>12273683
Well then she's wasting her time, we're already solidly evil.

Also, we should take this chance to ask anyone at the temple if there are any legends of other dragons around here. You don't want the old sage you seek to learn something happen to be a gold/silver dragon.

>>12273793
Yeah, that would be awkward. But I think we should keep research on dragons low profile. We don't want people even suspecting there are dragons around.

>>12273667
>>12273662
Leaving, you walk the streets, thinking. You're glad Scinnari did not completely take you up on your offer, and hope she is already back. In retrospect, you realize that you didn't specify 'where' you would meet, but guessing that there are only two options, you stop at the inn on the way.

She isn't there, but you stop to leave a several dozen gold out for Jarrik. You cut a small mouse-hole in the floorboard, and use that to lift it up, hiding the gold inside. A bit excessive, but you don't want it going to the wrong person. And you're certain he'll find it. He's a creative sort.

Heading next to the harbor, you watch the people along the way. Idly, you wonder whether such mortals would make subjects. Your aspirations are great, but not, you feel, greater than the should be. Or as great as they could be...

You are shaken from your reverie as you notice a duo of men with black shields, one of them gesturing in your direction from an alley way. Glancing about, wondering if they can see you, you notice a crossbowman on a roof drawing a bead on you, it looks like. They don't seem to have realized that you've noticed them, but are immediately ahead of you. Waiting for you to walk into the into the ambush..

A golden opportunity, you think, to swap roles...

>>12273852
What the dick? Who are these guys?

I swear to god, if investigating that priestess did this someone is going to burn. Literally.

>>12273852
Uh, probably a good idea to get into a position where the crossbowman's firing line is blocked. Hopefully looking natural while doing it. Bolts hurt.

>>12273873
It feels good to know we have the power. It really does.

Say, are there any people around? After all, we aren't colossal, or anything.. But I bet we'd get a hell of a lot on our intimidate check.

>>12273886
Pretending you've noticed them, but haven't seen them gesture, you edge to the far side of the street. From here, the crossbowman can't see you unless he leans over the edge to do it. Exactly what you wanted.

From the right, you can hear them approaching. Five feet from you, one of them unsheathes his sword, and says in the voice of someone who thinks others should be afraid, "Why don't you head into that alley, Mister?"

[action + 1d100. Best of two for whatever action gets voted]

rolled 73 = 73

>>12273961
Grab the dood by the sword hand. Use superior strength and leverage to swing him into the other guy.

-Oh god, it's beautiful. I've just envisioned a school of martial art that focuses on you being a shape-shifted monster. Yes, it's stupid, but it's awesome.

rolled 13 = 13

>>12273961
Head into the alley provided the crossbowman can't hit us. When they get in with us use our dragonfear, it works in human form too.

rolled 3 = 3

>>12274008
This, then >>12274005. Let's try and kill the leader, but leave the minion defecating from fear and fleeing.

AFter all, if this is something other than a mugging, the bossman is most likely to have something linking him back to his employer.

>>12274022
This action.

Use >>12274005 's roll.

>>12274031
The leader would probably know more though.

Still, it would be good to get some information out of them regardless. They aren't normal muggers with those shields.

>>12274022
>>12274031
Fair enough.


Without concern, you walk into the alley, after noticing how it's actually covered, due to the lower building's roof extending almost all the way over it. Convenient. They are not professionals.

Once deep enough in, the thugs grow more belligerent. Unacceptably so. "Hand over everything valuable you have. If you want to live, that is. We can always take it f-"

As he speaks, you consider trading banter with him, but decide against it. These are common thugs. They would not even provide a challenge.

Stepping forward, you grab the wrist of the one with the sword with both hands, and wrench him forward, before planting a kick in his gut, knocking him back into the other one. Due to your unnatural strength, you you hear several bones crack in the process. The one who drew on you lies on the ground, on his back, apparently having trouble breathing. The other sits sprawled behind him, staring in terror at you. Locking eyes you advance, enjoying the sight of him scrabbling slowly backwards.

"Did you want something?" you whisper, just loud enough to carry to him.

"N-! No-! NOnonono!" he shouts, scrambling backward. Moving swiftly, you plant your boot on his ankle.

"I'm glad." you whisper with delight, as you stomp down, crushing something significant by his scream. Turning back, you leave him to crawl his way out of the alley, whimpering. Bending down, you search the garments of the the leader. Thanks to the overall lack of bloodshed, you quickly find two things of relative value, three, if you count the twenty gold he had on him; An extremely nice ivory-and-silver dagger, with a 'C' in the hilt, and a small piece of parchment, with an address and a description of what can only be you, written down on it.

[Are people drying up here? This might be a good place to end it, restart sometime this weekend.]

>>12274166
drag the limping one back into the alley before the crossbowman sees and question him

>>12274166
>by his scream
>JUDGING by his scream

I blame the fact that it's just past midnight here, and one of roommates kept me up until two last night while he twitter'd (tweeted?) with his not-girlfriend. And that I rather like my 9-O'clock class.
[/justificate justificate justificate]

Thanks for putting up with me. <3 for your troubles.

>>12274166
It is getting pretty late. I'm about to head to bed myself.

Does our dragon fear aura thing work in polymorphed form?

>>12274181
seconded

>>12274206
>>12274190
Alright, as I said, this is a good place to break off. I think the next will be the conclusion of this particular job, and I already have all sorts of evil ideas. May be eight, eight thirty-onward Saturday night, or three to five sunday (In terms of when I start.) Sunday is most likely, but both might be fun.

Archiving now, since I feel that half of the player shave already dropped out. Be around for fifteen more minutes, if any of you have questions I can work with.

>>12274270
>work with
Answer. God damn. How did I write that?

>>12274270
>>12274314

Guess we'll see you then.

Good thread OP.