“I see. And the council, why didn't they contact me for the deliberation?”

“They decided against questioning you or Drac. Both of your fates depended on the outcome of the council meeting, so they decided to only let impartial witnesses speak. Ah... Sigurd convinced them that both Scinnari and Cygnis were partial, so they would not be sought out. Speaking of Cygnis...” Asha says.

“Yes?”

“She seems to have disappeared, at some point. Possibly trying to avoid being called to testify, if she doesn't know she won't be. All that attention, as well as some cursory magical measures, might, ah... risk a reveal.”

“I'll have to thank Sigurd on Cygnis' behalf, then.” you say. “But that's hardly rumor, unless you're telling me it isn't true. What are people saying?”

“Well, there's some fairly severe backlash about you blowing up the lighthouse.” Asha starts carefully. “Most agree that they're glad whatever-it-be wasn't summoned, but most are also fairly upset about the destruction of the building even if it wasn't popular during it's construction. Ah... bitter about waiting so long for it to end with a bang.” Asha says. “A few sources are suggesting that /you/ were the one framing the /Sealord/, but they are not very credible. I took the liberty of silencing one that threatened to be so.” Asha says, smiling and pulling out a small knife from seemingly no where. She slips it back up her sleeve a moment later.

“Commendable, I must thank you. It'd be quite the bother to end up with a sentence for saving the city...” you agree with dry amusement.

“I thought as such. Hmm... Most seem to like you though, and the most common versions of the story basically hold that your 'adventuring party' single-handedly saved the city. Most seem to have glossed over the fact that your subcontractors attacked the Guard. And there's a dragon-craze going out already, at least, I assume it's due to last night's events.” Asha adds, shaking her head. “I swear to Aurifar, I saw somene hawking both 'dragon protection' amulets, as well as 'dragon luck' charms. Neither were magical, but people are leaping on it; Cygnis must have been visible at some point. Possibly after I passed out.”

“Ah.. Scinnari's amulet is about to become the height of style.” you declare, and amused prediction.

“Or rather edgy.” Asha says.

“Indeed...” you agree, standing up. “It remains to be seen. Nevetheless, there is much to do today, I should think. I had best get started. You will be wanting to get some rest?”

“Yes... very much so.” Asha replies, gesturing in direction of the stairs. “If there's nothing else?”

[Plans for the day and any specific questions for Asha.]

>>12752256
We should take care of that assassination we are booked for, and find out what had Finn so surprised last time we were there.

I suggest we cuddle Scinnari some and ask her about her part of the fight. She was wounded, but still capable afterward. That suggests quite an epic struggle, especially as she was fighting seven vrocks all by herself.

>>12752256
What did Sigurd think about us and Scinnari? And what does he intend to do now? She seems to have gotten rather friendly with him, not sure if that's good or bad but at least it might get us some information on his plans.

>>12752256
We should inquire as to if Asha discovered what Sigurd's plans are now that the cult's ritual was successfully disrupted. Also, if further indications that she is fond of a paladin are evident, we should... eh, think on that later.

>>12752314
I would rather spend the day on the aftermath of our accomplishments against the cult. This is a priceless PR opportunity for Captain Cibach; we're unlikely to get another to match it for some time. It would be foolish not to take advantage by being seen publicly, meeting with the various council types to discuss what the city government will be like in the aftermath of the Sealord, and so forth.


Other matters. We need to secure additional healing potions. We need to congratulate our kobolds; while things went wildly off track from our plans, they performed excellently nevertheless and were prompt in getting us what we needed when we called upon them. We need to see what Cygnis if up to and discover if her brother is planning to stick around and make a pest of himself.

>>12752406
We can do that too, we hardly need the entire day to assassinate one guy and bring him in.

>>12752314
That naturally came up last night. She claims to have killed three, though one of them wasn't clean. She says she lead them on a merry chase, ending up among the estates of the Merchant quarter. She figured the guards there were competent enough that they would do better than elsewhere.

Naturally, she kept them away from your house.

>>12752351


"He was not very... opinionated is the word?" You nod.

"Indeed it is. I should assume, then, that he didn't denounce me as consorting with devils or demons, or what have you?"

"No. He mentioned he was pleasantly surprised at your skill with a blade, and impressed that 'Lady Asmora' is such a talented woman." Asha says. "He may have been hinting that he knew, but he hasn't announced it, to my knowledge."

"Ah. Thank you."


[a few things; I'm running out of red dragon or reddish dragon or related-anyway pictures, so if anyone has any opinion on whether I should keep changing my OP picture, through ones I've already used, or branch out into non-reddish dragons, go ahead and tell me. Or if you think I should choose one picture and stick with it. (And if so, what?).

Also, something I announce with some trepidation; somebody went and created an IRC channel for this. I don't want to carry it over to that, but it might give a decent outlet when discussions run away with themselves, or what have you. It's on IRC highway, #dragonquest for channel. Not necessary to join the chat, the quest will be running here, but I thought I'd try it out.]

>>12752466
Well, warn her that opinionated or not, he is still a paladin. Ask her what she thought of the dragons, and how she felt when working with them.

After that uh... go take care of business I suppose? We should show ourselves to the kobolds first and give them some money to divide among themselves. Like 1000 silver. Then assassinate that guy. Then go around and start being all hardass cult inquisitor with the Council. Make it subtle but clear we will be requiring their support for the Sealord position, and if they step out of line bad things happen. Ideally we will have a ready-made powerbase in the ones who supported Drac. They will doubtless be looking to prove their innocence a dozen times over.

Fuck yeah Dragon Quest!

I'm still reading up the last one in the archive though.

Which reminds me, I have a copy of the first thread, if anyone is interested in it, I could try and dig it up.

I think we should do everything we can to stregthen the position of 'Sealord' (Not Drac, though, just the title,) and promote (or invest) in the dragon craze. It might make the city more receptive to us later on down the line, and it could make us money in the meantime.

If it keeps Cygnis worried, jumping at shadows, or annoyed at her brother for the reveal, all the better.

At some point, we should look into how Ladon knew the Sealord was a cultist. He warned us but I don't think he mentioned how he found out... Seems odd for him to of known unless he was pretending to go along with the cult or something.

>>12752525
Make sure we stick around Finn's place and try to find out about Scinnari's activities there. That's what we were doing in the first place.

Speaking of which, tell Scinnari that we wouldn't take it amiss if she used her newly made underworld connections to rumor monger in our favor.

Also, I think we should try and find Cygnis. I'm worried Az might not take losing her gracefully. That plan for capturing Az from last night should be done this evening. We'll need to fill Scinnari in.

Damnit, I'm still midway through XIX... I need to get reading fast.

I vote we either make public appearences or try to track down Cygnis. Make sure she hasn't been kidnapped again.

>>12752531
Yes please, I've been wanting to read that.

>>12752567
Aren't we Ladon aka Blackjack?

>>12752610
Ladon as in the guy who was almost assassinated by Asha. I think we picked the same name or it was similar? Maybe I'm mixing up names... Regardless, at the celebration where we got our amulet, he warned us the Sealord was a cultist and we don't know how he knew I believe.

We should try messing about with the sage-crystal thing, now we have time to recharge it.

>>12752627
>>12752610
Lydon is the guy who almost died to Asha.

Ladon is our "real" name as 'Blackjack'.

>>12752675
My mistake.

At some point, we should look into how Lydon knew the Sealord was a cultist. He warned us but I don't think he mentioned how he found out... Seems odd for him to of known unless he was pretending to go along with the cult or something.

Better?

"Oh, do you know anything of his plans for the future?" you ask, "Sigurd." you clarify.

"He mentioned that he would probably be leaving town. He said that other branches of this cult, or ones close to it, exist, and he'll be hunting them elsewhere. He did say he was pretty certain that the cult here will end up dissolving, though. No leaders, a headless snake thrashes and dies, that sort of thing."

"Good. Thank you." you reply, "By all means, go get some sleep. You seem to have done excellently." You watch her go, and then turn to Scinnari.


"Do you think Finn's organization could work the rumor mill?" you ask.

"Assuredly. I'd need some sort of justification, though..." Scinnari says, thinking about her cover.

"Right. You seem to be doing quite well, and wouldn't want to risk it." you agree regretfully as you failed to come up with a way to suggest anything to her without admitting that you've seen her on the job. "And I may want to deal with Azdukashen today... If he is still in town. In fact, if he is still in town, he may be upset about Cygnis being missing, even blame me. I may want to find her..."

"I doubt it, Azaladon. He didn't... he seemed abraisive and obnoxious, but not prone to panic. If Cygnis is gone, and your little sorceress-assassin is being truthful in Sigurd's opinions, then I doubt she has any reason to have vanished. Perhaps she's even off with her... 'half-brother'." Scinnari suggests, phrasing the last part with extreme delicacy.

"Indeed... as for obnoxious and paranoid, though, you obviously didn't see him yesterday... Speaking of which, we should put more questions to the crystal today..." you reply, changing the subject.


[Good ideas, an agenda, what do we do now?]

>>12752711
Searching for Cygnis can wait until we have a suspicion it's anything other than her just not wanting to be found out. Kobolds and assassination first. Afterwards we can go manipulate the council. Tell Scinnari our plans for Az since she will be the key element and have her send him a message suggesting they meet tonight.

If we're going out, stick the crystal in the sun and we should have 1d10 odd questions by the time we get back. Else, try dragonfire and see if we can get questions quicker like that.

As for what to ask it: I want to know why it talks to us, and even gives us freebe half answers, but doesn't seem to like anyone else.

If we can find time, it would probably be a good idea to true form in front of the kolbolds. Ya know, make nice with them and all that.

Also we might want to finish poking around in the temple. Too bad we couldn't loot everything from the cultists at the lighthouse.

>>12752836
We shouldn't use dragonfire. I don't know what effect that would have on either us or it. Stick with a standard bonfire, since we know that works and we don't want to leave the crystal unwarded in the sun.

Ask it if Scinnari would react favorable to a threesome with Cygnis if Scinnari was dom and Cygnis was sub.

ESPECIALLY ask that if Scinnari is present.

>>12752887

Shouldn't we have a fireplace/hearth to set it in for awhile?

>>12752886
I'll second both those ideas. The kobalds need some attention, and we might be able to at least dismiss the dragon-shade.

>>12752886
>>12752939
We can loot that temple in a timeskip, guys. We should really just get the stuff that can't be timeskipped out of the way currently. Those things are:

1. Capturing Az.
2. Assassination and finding out about Scinnari at Finn's.
3. Questioning the Crystal.

And that's it, really. We could timeskip everything else. Especially manipulating the council.

>>12752979
I have nothing to really ask the crystal yet. Maybe why it likes us, but best wait till we have more to say to it first. Don't want to break the game and all..

>>12753003
Also it may or may not be eating our soul. We were the first to bleed on it, remember?

>>12753003
How about:
1. Why it answers us.
2. How it gets its information.
3. What was the purpose behind its creation.
4. What type of creature is the binder currently?
5. What type of creature was the binder before it lost its body?
6. Where is Cygnis presently?
7. Where is Cygnis's hoard?
8. What is the complete listing of traps around Az's hoard?
9. What are the fifty most valuable items in the Temple of the Binder?
10. Where are the previously listed items located within the temple?
11. What councilors will be easiest for us to sway into supporting us as Sealord?

>>12753039
Don't forget
>>12752898

Holy shit it's dragon quest.
1d100 for how pumped I am, aiming high

rolled 76 = 76

>>12753086
Now with less failure

If we're to ask anything, let's first ask the fate of those who've used this crystal before us.

rolled 73 = 73

>>12753086
fergot yer roll brosef

>>12753078
I can tell you right now, that's a negative. Waste of a question. Scinnari would love to torture Cygnis to death. Sharing a bed, not so much.

Besides, you are assuming others want to sleep with Cygnis too. I don't. Others don't. Even more only agree to sleep with her because it would strike at Az.

>>12753103
Well clearly they're all dead. That's what happens to everything, eventually. That's a stupid question.

Rather, ask for a complete listing of all prices associated with using the crystal.

"Well, first of all, If you can come up with any excuse, I would appreciate it if you could get Finn supporting me. Maybe claim that I'm a passing acquaintance, you might be able to get me to do him favors, if you could claim he had done me some? Or suggest as an adventurer, I'm probably of... loose morals." you offer.

"Heh. Loose morals... you certainly were." Scinnari laughs.

"I'm not sure he'd like to hear about that. If you can manage it, go ahead and do it; I'll need to go pay the miners I hired, and get the crystal charging somewhere in the meantime."

"I can, of course do that." Scinnari agrees happily.

"Ah, before you leave, though, I think if Azdukashen is in town, and leaving shortly, I may have a plan to deal with him."

"Really?" Scinnari asks, interested. "How do you plan to go about it?"

>>12753130

"With your assistance. Perhaps you could go to him this evening, with the necklace we prepared for Cygnis. Offer him something to flatter his ego, perhaps that you saw him yesterday. You are so terribly impressed, having realized I'm a worthless humanoid with delusional ambitions, and I intended to attempt to court Cygnis, even making the necklace for her... but you see that he's a much more fitting recipient, and far greater than I will ever be." The words come out mocking, and Scinnari nods as you elaborate. "Keep him, ah, not thinking with his head. Play on his wishes to get back at me, perhaps. Either way, get the necklace on him, and then we can arrange him a prolonged and uncomfortable stay in the cellar. Or further down. His sister can assume that he has left for home, eager to return to his court politics and lair." you finish with a satisfied smile.

"A... devious plan, lord. Though he is a dangerous opponent... You are sure?"

"No, not sure. Don't do so yet, it may prove he has already left, or has told Cygnis he is staying a while. But something to keep in mind... I do not intend to allow his insults to go unanswered."

"Of course, Lord Azal. Is that all?" she asks. You nod.

"For the moment, that suffices."

"Then I shall be off." she replies, vanishing. You watch for a moment, to make sure she's gone, then head down to the cellar, your cavern, the chasm, to retrieve the crystalline artifact. It proves a bit large for the ovens, but you do have a large central fireplace to place it in. Leaving orders to keep the fire burning, and not to remove the artifact, you gather several hundred silver, and arm yourself, preparing to go repay your workers.


[dice 1d100]

>>12753121
Stupid question indeed. We would certainly have no interest in how they may have died now would we?

rolled 98 = 98

>>12753130
>"Mah Dragonslayin' Sword, his face."

rolled 76 = 76

>>12753141
Technically I don't think we ever told Scinnari about our basement or farther down...

rolled 32 = 32

>>12753145
No, we wouldn't. Do you know why?

EVERYONE DIES. It's a multi-thousand year old artifact. That's like saying "How many of your users have breathed?" Really a useful question there.

>>12753188
Of course. Silly me.
I wonder just how many people may have had the chance to use the thing. It was after all being held by dragons last. Though I suppose asking is no more helpful then knowing the respiration habits of the past owners..

>>12752979
0. Convincing people to support our position on the council.
>1. Capturing Az.
>2. Assassination and finding out about Scinnari at Finn's.
>3. Questioning the Crystal.
4. congratulating and paying kobolds.
5. PR stunts regarding the sealord, the cult, and the lighthouse.
6. Making headway into finding Cygnis

Try detect object on the amulet we gave Cygnis. ... Wait, is it warded against that? I forgot.
Assignments should be:
Scinnari:
Keeps working at finn, helps out with PR, tries to find out what she can about Cygnis, Sigurd and Azdukashen from her chattering during the PR stunts.
Asha:
Finds the people who ... disagree vocally with our promotion and advancement through the council ranks. When she finds these people, she has a pleasant afternoon with them, and ensures they get a peaceful rest. Forever.
Kobolds:
Get paid, party down. Have them focus on remaining unseen by the swarm of adventurers, and keep themselves safe. Have them invite as many Kobold Bros as possible to chill out with them while the whole adventurer stuff blows over.
Self:
See 7 points above.

>>12753215
All of the points in black can be done in timeskip. Really guys, we can't RP out every day of a 5000 year lifespan.

>>12753141
Plan:
Asha gets a glove of holding, and that dragon-disabling poison she talked about. Failing that dragon-disabling poison, just get a silencing poison.
We equip the dragonslaying blade with the poison, equip the glove with the dragonslaying blade, and give the glove to Scinnari.
Scinnari goes to meed Azdukashen. We camp nearby.
Scinnari Amulets Azdukashen.
We Codeword the Amulet.
Scinnari Swords Azdukashen with the poisoned dragonslaying sword.
We Dragon.
We Maul the everloving shit out of Azdukashen in between Scinnari Swording the everloving shit out of Azdukashen.

>>12753238
Well, as long as there's shit to do, we roleplay it out.

I bet we're grinding XP much faster than a regular dragon, what with how much stuff we've been doing. And if we keep doing it, LOTSA MONEY.

>>12753256
Seconding this.

>>12753256
but... but... if we kill him, we can't mock him!
I know we are playing pragmatic evil but PLEASE let us indulge ourselves a LITTLE

>>12753256
The dragon disabling poison is inhaled. We don't need to fucking fight him or go dragon. And if we use dragon form inside the Inn we will destroy the room and reveal ourselves. WAT?

Just, no. We set up behind him invisible with the magical chloroform and wait for Scinnari to get the amulet on him and his guard down.

>>12753256
Dude, we don't need to sleep-poison him if we are going to kill him. And there is no reason to kill him when we can capture him and kill him after interrogating him.

Part of your comment isn't allowed to be posted.

>>12753305
The downside of this is that he can probably cast remove curse, being an adult gold dragon. I REALLY don't think we should risk capturing him, guys.
There are many useful spells people can cast to get themselves out of tricky situations in D&D. Even in humanoid form, he can cast those. I don't want to risk that.

However, I suppose I'm not the only quest member, and if you want a risky option, go for it.

>>12753343
This makes no sense. Why would he stop in the middle of the wilderness to screw Scinnari? Why would Scinnari logically be out there to be screwed? Why are you completely ignorant of what the poison we have does? (protip: read the old threads where we used it on that human)

Finally, why are you wanting to kill him when it's way more practical and fun to capture him and torture/interrogate him?

>>12753166
Our cook is now using the cellar to store food and wines, part of the consequences of having one. And (as far as we know,) nobody else knows about the cavern, beyond the 'bolds. 'Further down' referred to the sewers or cave system below Freeport, both of which we have explored to some degree.

>>12753150
########################

You deliver the money to Kantak and Jerrik, who both are present when you arrive at the warehouse. Koboldhouse. A short transformation, a vague speech with plenty of praise, and an apology for having the tunnels built but not used, and an assurance that their efforts at smuggling in blasting powder, however, were most appreciated. It ends in cheering, and Kantak asks you to preside over a prayer to Kurtulmak. You do so silently, an implicit boon and sign of support for Kantak. And the kobolds as a whole. Finally, you make sure to point out that there are many adventurers in the city, and probably thinking they are popular after last night's combat; the gangs should not oppose each other for a few weeks, lest they attract unwanted attention. Kantak especially looks grateful for this, but others seem of mixed opinion. Most of them seem to like the order for truce, though.

By the time you leave, you are confident you have made a go- positive, impression. Advancing your intent, significantly.


Your next event of note is hunting; changing form and asking around for the captain Finn sent you after. From what you recall, he spends times on Dreaming Street, a dangerous but much frequented area of the city, center of sensory pleasures. Inquiring again at the inn he was allegedly staying at, you determine that he's out, and never came back last night. The bartender suggests that that is hardly unusual, as he sometimes doesn't return until almost noon.

>>12753363
>Remove Curse
>Components: V, S
He can't cast remove curse if his hands and feet are tied, man. Or if he's gagged.

>>12753385
Well then. Let's ask what places he likes to visit.
And then we enter each of them, looking for him.
In addition to looking for him, keep an eye out for exceptionally valuable stuff. Anything that smells of magic. Looting opportunities abound!

We have the invis emerald, right?

>>12753417
Doesn't matter if we have the emerald or not, we can cast invis naturally now. I think we gave the emerald to Scinnari.

>>12753385
Ask what places he likes to frequent. He probably brags a lot about it, after all. Say we have a business venture for him and would like to get in contact, as well as possibly have some fun ourselves.

>>12753385
What time is it currently? Any time close to noon?
Also waiting on op.

>>12753395
Also remove curse only allows the cursed item to be taken off. If we have him tied up he won't be able to do that, even if it's able to be removed. So he would still be locked into human form even with remove curse.

Oh we should ask about our connection to the binder. either it is a huge bluff or it is a deadly truth we have to deal with.

this is purely speculation but...

If what the binder said was true then it has some very frightening implications. the binder used unmake rather thank destroy. Implying that it could destroy us completely body and soul. The only explanation i can think of is when an manifestation/aspect of a deity rejoins it's divine form. (4th ed fluff) This would implies we are an aspect of the binder, a shard of it. Because of that when we die we will become just a memory as that shard of the binder will be reabsorbed in to itself. Also not sure how much control the binder has over us, Avatar occasionally rebel but generally it does not end well.
also another question if it's body is on the ethereal plane where is it's soul?

The 'Pavilion of Ephemeral Pleasures' is the answer you get, though it's just a name Andarr dropped. Nevertheless, it's the best lead you have, and so pursue it, Blackjack's usual brusque 'self'.

The pavilion is not as much of a gain as you originally hoped. The establishment itself is at least two floors, with a large room and circular bar in the center. Dimly lit, cool, and full of fragrant and vile smokes, some of both of which you are sure are of the mind-altering variety. Indeed, there seems to be a few people selling them, though you decide to avoid indulging. You did once in your younger years, and returning to lucidity after deranged mishaps with your polymorphing ability is not something you wish to experience again.

Quietly asking for Andarr at the bar gets no results, though you are made an offer to try some more 'personal' pleasures in the private rooms, which you neither accept or refuse.

The smells and sounds of what is effectively the city's 'whore-and-drug' subdistrict washes over you, a wide spectrum of colors, lights, smells, and sounds.

[dice 1d100, and how do we pursue this?]
[dice 1d100]

>>12753856
>[dice 1d100]
Only once, not twice. Ignore the second.


>>12753532
Almost 10. Sorry I'm slow.

rolled 33, 88 = 121

>>12753856
There should be all kinds of less savory folk around a place like this, and coin will go far. I suggest finding a streetwalker with a good spot on a corner. This means that she's smart and tough, and the fact she's a working girl means she takes coin for all kinds of things. We ask her about Andarr, or people who would know where he is.

rolled 40 = 40

>>12753856
Well, if it's close to noon, we just go back to his house, go invis, and wait for him.
Have a dice.

rolled 26 = 26

>>12753856
Take the smartest looking girl upstairs and ask her again in privacy. I doubt she will want to reveal her patrons around other patrons, even if the price is right.

rolled 35 = 35

>>12753897
2nd

>>12753897
>>12753898
>>12753915
>>12753917
Good rolls, lads.

>>12753948

>>12753897
I'd second this, I think

>>12753898
i'll second this, we don't seem to be getting anywhere with the whores.

Oh, at some point we need to (as Cibach) ask Scinnari something to the effect of "You mentioned that you had made arrangements regarding bringing Brother Arman in, how has that been going?"

Her answer will be important in determining exactly how much we can(not) trust her.

>>12753948
Indeed. /tg/'s at it again. At least we didn't need those.

>>12753897

Your sharp hearing picks up a sound, a faint one. A scream, or possibly a moan. Presumably from one of the 'private rooms' someone tried to offer you... All sorts of things of questionable morality are supposed to be available for purchase here. Despite having ostensibly gone legit, Freeport was and still is, at it's heart, a pirate city.

"How much are rooms?" you ask a bored-looking waitress.

"Depends on what you want. Paying more gets you more. Simple fuck upstairs is five, silver. Goes up from there. One of the downstairs rooms is twenty."

"Downstairs?" you grunt.

"Downstairs. More private. Soundproof. Whatever you want." she explains irritably.

"Whores work upstairs and down?" you ask.

"Yeah, some of it. Don't like using our girls for some of the more violent ones." the waitress replies. "Pay at the back door." she says, gesturing at a small counter near a side doorway, "I've got work to do.". you grunt an assent, and wander off.

Your prospects don't seem good finding him here, so you turn and head back for his inn, hoping to greet him when he returns. You are not disappointed; leaning against his door in the upper hallway, you snap the lock, and open the door. The good captain is passed out on the bed, dead drunk and asleep. That /would/ be why you didn't find him there. You consider cutting his throat with one of your knives, but decide instead to smother him. Drunk and tired as he is, and strong as you are, it's no real challenge to pin him and cover hes face while he panics, tries to struggle, passes out again, and, eventually, dies.

That resolves your contract for Finn, you consider collecting it now, but realize that Scinnari might be pulling her strings at the moment... A chance to watch her in action, or a possibility of having to wait while she works in private. In your mind, you weigh what to do next.

[sorry, sorry, delayed. I know.]

>>12754082
>>12754131
Since you obviously need some variety...

>>12754147
We should watch her in action. That's what this entire Blackjack persona is about, finding out exactly what Scinnari is up to and if we can truly trust her despite being a devil.

>>12754147
Cut off the guy's head, wrap it in a bag, bring it back as proof immediately. Use invis, of course - nobody wants to get caught carrying a bag with a head in it.

>truly trust
>devil

>>12754169
>>12754178
Unfortunately, as you arrive, Finn is not present. Some of his followers are, but he himself is nowhere to be seen. The accountant-looking dwarf is instead manning the dais, and discussing something, payment, it looks like, with two mercenary types.

The fight-pit has been boarded over today, and doesn't seem to be in use.

>>12754256
Ask where Finn is. Say we have important business.

>>12754256
Cash in our head for money, tell him we'll be by the next day for another job, and head off to find Cygnis.

>>12754147
Wait for Finn or try to find him. Talk to the dwarf and say we need to see him.

>>12754283
"Is Finn around?" you ask, moving past the pair of guards.

"Hmm? Why, what do you want?" the dwarf asks, looking away from the humans he was conversing with. You heard something like "Ten gold a head" as you approached, but are not sure what sort of bounty they're discussing.

"Job." you reply, holding up the wet head-sized bag. "He hired, he pays."

"Through me, it be right now. Finn be off hammerin' his elf-girl, probably." The dwarf replies. "You 'Blackjack', right? The foreigner? Ah, what you say... 'dragon hunter'?" he laughs. The two mercenaries laugh too, obviously not believing. You offer no response.

"Two fifty gold. Here you are..." the accountant says, measuring it out. "And I don't have other contracts at the moment. Might come back tomorrow, he'll probably have jobs." The dwarf instructs you.

>>12754497
We need to find out what Scinnari and Finn are up to. Let's try to sneak in from around back or something.

Oh hell yeah! Dragon Quest!

I think we should pay Landon (sp? the guy we saved from getting assassinated) a visit and see what is going on with the council.

If we keep on top of this we might be able to score a seat on the Council now that there should be two spots open, one for the captain working with the sealord, and whoever replaces the sealord will probably come from the council.

>>12754581
That would be Lydon.

>>12754597
ah yea, knew it was something like that, I am so bad with names

>>12754497
Ten gold a head? A head of what, exactly?

>>12754641
I hope it's not kobalds

>>12754641
Probably talking about the bounty we issued for snakemen.

Not sure if this showed up in a previous thread or not, but did Scinnari wind up sleeping with Finn or Az-dick? I think if it was brought up, I must have missed it (marathoned my way through all the Dragon Quest threads on suptg).

>>12754683
She denies sleeping with Az. She hasn't said anything about Finn over than having him wrapped around her finger.

I think we should use Scinnari's choker to find her.

>>12754644
Speaking of Kobolds, now that the cultists are out of power in the city, I think we should form a crack kobold kommando team to gain some power in the underworld of the city.

questions to ask the spindle sage:(magic 8ball)
why do you answer me better/ more thoroughly than others?
Is Scinnari planning to betray us/ is she aware of our suspicions?
Azdukashens plans, level of suspicion he holds for us, etc.
ways to increase our control over cygnis, with goal of complete domination, making her part of the hoard.(for the lulz, even if it is more risky than killing her, the rewards are great.)

I would ask it about our connection to the Binder, but it's affiliated somewhat with that(i think, we found it in a temple to the binder right?), so it might not be trustworthy.

really, so long as we use a couple of the questions for long term planning to advance our goals of increasing hoard, gaining power over Cygnis, eliminating Azdukashen, or anything like that, i would be pretty happy. We really should use the orb while we can, who knows when Cygnis, Az or someone else might either "borrow" it, or steal it(unlikely, but for something this useful we should be very careful)

any spelling errors/ particularly stupid mistakes due to lateness. just putting my suggestions up before i go get some much needed sleep.

"What's the ten-a-head bounty?"

"Hellhound business, nothing of your concern." one of the mercs growls. You make a non-committal noise.

"Best not be sticking your nose in it, if you be wanting to keep it." the dwarf replies, finishing counting out your gold. "They don't take kindly to intruders, and Finn likes 'em enough that he'd probably overlook your disappearance."

Again with the non-committal grunting. You accept your pay, and turn to leave. One of the mercs attempts to shoulder you, and you reply by drawing a dagger half an inch from it's sheath. They reply by drawing their weapons, and the guards follow suit after seeing them do so.

"Hold it! Put that away, all of you. Don't think I didn't see you start it, Jez. No blood drawn, just walk away." the dwarf orders sharply. 'Jez' hesitates, then puts his shortsword away. You sheath your dagger, and the guards relax and sheathe their weapons too. You leave without further incident.

Circling around, you are unable to figure out where the back portion of the building is, an settle for ascending to the roof of a building half a block over, and then roof-hopping towards the warehouse-come-bar. Being much more stealthy once you arrive, you search around for an entrance or access point...

[dice 1d100]

rolled 17 = 17

no whammies no whammies no whammies

rolled 15 = 15

>>12754804
Make sure to keep an eye out for magic with our natural senses.

>>12754822
FUCKING /TG/ DICE.

>>12754793
The stuff in relation to the binder might not be trustworthy, but it wouldn't hurt in asking it. Even if it goal is to deceive us (I don't think so but I have a healthy amount of paranoia) it doesn't mean that we can't gather useful information about the binder even if it is lying.

Here we go

>>12754773
>kobold kommandos
Yussssss!

>>12754649
I thought we were doing that ourselves, and publicly. I wouldn't think we would do it via subcontracting. Particularly not to a crime boss, since Cygnis was handling that for us.

>>12754804
Well, even if we don't find anything we should try making a way in. We really need to get to the bottom of all this.

I second using Scinnari's collar to locate her.

rolled 75 = 75

Hope for high

>>12754824
>>12754822
Moving across the roof, you wince as it creaks and sinks under your foot. This isn't a tough building... You move across the warehouse to where you think the 'bar' area ends, then move further, over what should be the back rooms. Let's see.... the door should be right here, and... You glance about, annoyed. There doesn't seem to be an entrance. It might be possible to make your own though...

As you survey it, you realize that the roof is totally without access; there doesn't seem to be any way inside. Annoying. Inconvenient. Vex-

With a loud cracking noise, and faintly disturbing tearing sound, a section of the roof below you gives way. You flail desperately to grab the sides of the gab, but do not succeed, and fall, hitting a shoulder hard on something, being spun about, and slaming your face into something that is thankfully fairly soft.

"What the hell was that..?" you hear someone mutter. Not good, someone noticed. Standing, you look about, trying to clear your somewhat shaken-up head.

You're standing in what looks like a slaughterhouse, or a meat locker; whatever it is, it's very cold, and there are bodies... no, people, chained up and hanging form hooks on wall. A... storage room. They seem to be gagged, and just about all of them are naked, and held off the ground, arms and hands secured. Considering the chill, you wouldn't think they'd have much luck casting spells or picking locks anyway.

There are a few pillars in the room, mostly of the support-beam variety, and a door at two ends. The comment and footsteps came from the closer one, the one to the left, and it sounds like a guard is approaching to investigate you entrance.

>>12754973
Invisible, right now. Slip through the door when the voice opens it, behind him as he moves into the warehouse.

>>12754849
Ugh, these pictures always make me sad because it's what I always imagined the Ratlings from 40k looked like. Then I actually took 5 seconds to look it up and it turns out they're just future hobbits.

>>12754973
Turn invisible and move whichever way we SENSE SCINNARI in.

rolled 48 = 48

>>12754973
Oh boy, this should be good

rolled 57 = 57

>>12754973

>>12754973
does anyone have the full version of this picture? the desktop background one? please and thank you

>>12755015
Got moar, but won't post if you're sad. (SO SAD.)


Hide and hope none of the captives give us away? Also, should we find Finn nailing Scinnari (Jassa, 'r summat,) what do we do? I'm inclined to kill them both, but Scinnari is pretty useful.

>>12754973
Invis, while we can, then try to escape.

>>12755054
If we find that then we leave and buy a Dimensional Lock scroll. When Scinnari gets home we put it to use, then question her. She won't run because, well, she knows that bad things would happen and she's not stupid.

Finn, of course, would die the next day.

>>12755054
I'm not sure sleeping with him is grounds for stabbing (her, at least). That's reserved for betrayal and plotting against us. We did tell her to work him over to our side, that might take a bit more then just smiles.

>>12755118
We also told her specifically not to sleep around. It's minor, but it's a clear violation of our orders. A talk is in order, but likely not death. Probably.

>>12755041
>>12755049

Savoring your invisibility, you stand, thankful you shouldn't be spotted. Moving forward, you place yourself near the door. You pause and ascertain Scinnari's direction...

Forward. Down.

Good. You're on the right track. A moment later a guard bursts through the door. He glances around, sees that the people haven't escaped, then notices the fallen section of roof.

"Trap. Something may have dropped in." he says to someone past him. "Going to look around. Hope it wasn't that bastard cat this time."

"We had it re-tuned since then. The cat shouldn't be setting it off." a voice replies.

"It's a fat bastard, always stealing food. I swear, If I find it..." The guard says, moving forward. "Snitch, you see something?"

"I think so." a weak voice says from somewhere in the room. "I think someone fell in. Someone invisible. Sounded like that kind of thing, and I could have sworn I saw someone for a second."

"You best be telling the truth, Snitch. Otherwise our deal's off." the guard replies, "Possible intruder. Might not have been deliberate. Don't let anyone by." he orders to his partner through the door. He then steps out, and you slip through the door behind him.

A small spiral staircase. Metal frame, not too solid. Creaks. A guard at the top, a few feet across from you, and one visible below, ten or fifteen feet down. Both are standing in the middle of the exit, standing in either of your possible paths.
[dice 1d100]

Woooo dragonquest!

rolled 15 = 15

>>12755209
We should uh... use Prestidigitation to make a cat illusion.

rolled 16 = 16

/tg/ dice go!

rolled 2 = 2

Oh dear god >.<
/tg/ dice ftl

rolled 76 = 76

>>12755209

rolled 76 = 76

Fortunately you are noko. Seriously, stop that, your rolls can't count if we don't know what they are.

rolled 57 = 57

>>12755297

Oh ^^ That's handy.
In all honesty I'm too lazy/keep forgetting to remove it

>>12755259
...in before we cast so loudly that it's incredibly obvious what's going on...

>>12755352
Then just permanently remove it? Nobody can use nokoed rolls because for all we know you could be rolling 1d50

rolled 7 = 7

>>12755363

But then I have to back button =[

>>12755419
How does it feel knowing you spent more effort typing that post than removing your dice? You're doing it because you think it "Am I kawaii uguu :3"

>>12755297

In this case, the answers are either that he rolled 100, and failed, rolled less than one hundred (like d20, stupid,) and failed, or rolled over than 100, (d1000,), and ultra-failed. I'm inclined to take it. Might not take high rolls like that though.
#################################
>>12755260
>>12755259

"Aaaugh!" the voice of the guard searching the room you entered sounds. A curse, another curse, some more shouting.

"Coming!"

"Coming!" the guards at the top and bottom of the staircase echo, drawing their swords as they break into runs, climbing the steps two at a time. Not leaving you much space.... Can't go down and you can't go up, if you try to go back, then they'll see the door open...

The thought crosses your mind of turning to the heavens and arguing that you do not deserve this. As that probably wouldn't work, you try opening the door, hoping the other guard will die near enough to the door that it's plausible he opened it just before dying.

Stepping back into the prisoner-room, you see the guard ripping a fat, white and pink cat off it's head. Of all the..

The other guards burst into the room behind you. You've been aware enough to keep yourself away from the door, and they pass by you, slowing to a walk as they see what the commotion was.

>>12755481
"Wait..." one of them says slowly, "Did you open the door?"

"What? No! AAugh!" the beset guard shouts, ripping the cat from his head and throwing it out into the coldroom. It yowls as it hits the floor, and runs off.

"We have an intruder, then. Door opened before we got there. Nobody passed me by-"

"Me neither." the other one confirms.

"He's in this room, then." the third says. "Probably opened the door, saw you two coming, and backed out. You, guard the door. You, with me, we're searching the warehouse..."

Do your irritation, the guards obey the orders, and with one standing directly in front of the door, you are reduced to trying to avoid shivering in the cold air, and hoping that they'll go away while you try to come up with an idea...

rolled 43 = 43

>>12755447

I am what?

>>12755481
>>12755488
ooh, so close

>>12755118
If she's sleeping with him, then she's violating our orders. Doesn't matter how minor it is, we can't have that happening.

Also, she's OURS. Others can look, but not touch.

>consorts hanging

Yes, Captcha.

rolled 35 = 35

Mage hand the door across the room open.

We really don't need to force the issue right now, especially when there's a lot more going on here than we're ready for at this point in time. We should leave and not come back until we have a plan and the right gear for this job.

rolled 35 = 35

Use Prestidigitation to create the image of a ghost, and then our fear aura to make them believe it. They won't be able to tell their boss they were afraid of a ghost.

>>12755545
The fear aura doesn't work like that. It's (EX) not (SU). It only works when we we're in dragon form and do something impressive (roar, fly overhead, something scary like that).

>>12755557
We've done it before
>>12755447
Stop that and calm down
>>12755500
Please remove the dice from behind you noko, if only so WD can't be so sadistic at us.

>>12755557
My bad, it's supernatural in 4e.

>>12755518
Does Scinnari take the form of an elf when she's hiding her true form?

I really should start paying attention to the race characters prefer when they polymorph

>>12755488
See if we can do a little mimicry, by magic or anything else - have them hear someone far off sound as though they're calliung the other guards "Help! Here, now!"

>>12755557
It does, actually. I had someone show me the page in a previous thread somewhere. 9 or 11 or something. (Wow, that was a while ago...)
#######################
>>12755545
>>12755529
>>12755500

Easing yourself into a corner, you begin casting as quietly as you can. It's a big room, and though you see the eyes of a prisoner near you start desperately searching for the source of the sound, she's gagged, and near immobile. And ideally, wouldn't turn you in if she could.

With your magic, you remotely a chain, and start waving it around. Thrashing. Clanging. That gets their attention. You raise it as high as you can before the weight grows to much, and drop it, picking up a different end. You wave it, shake it, and approach, casting another small spell.

Unable to get a haunting moan or spectral image, you settle for a face. It looks strange, artificial, hollow, but it's enough. The guards back of, shouting.

"Damnit! Get back! Ghost!"

"It's that man who died! He said he was a shaman, he's cursed us!" one of the guards shouts, almost a whimper.

"Shut up." says the first. "Hold your ground."

Unable to really do much with the spectral visage, you move your illusion forward, lowering and zooming towards one of the guards, fading out as it approaches him. You chose your target well, and he yelps and backs up. Clever this muscle isn't.

"What's going on?" says the third one, running up. "I heard noi-"

You don't even wait for him to finish, gleefully moving for the now-unguarded door. Opening it quietly, you slip through, and carefully descend the staircase. I creaks and shakes, but no one is around to witness your descent.

>>12755823


A hallway. Following Scinnari's collar, you move forward... This- No, the next door. Here.

Putting your ear to the door, you listen.


"-me go, Finn! I thought you were a friend!"

"That I may be, but I like t-" he starts, but you don't get to hear what he likes to hear. "AAAugh! Bitch! I'll- Never mind, you aren't-"

The voices grow louder, a scream, and the sound of a struggle. You try peering through the keyhole. No dice.

The voice might be Scinnari-Jassa's, but you aren't certain. It doesn't quite sound like her, though the combat you hear or the intervening blockage might account for that.

>>12755781
yes, an avariel specifically

>>12755831
Only offensive spells.

Slowly open the door and look in. I imagine they are far too occupied to notice.

>>12755829
Frack it, what have we got to loose at this point?
Go in, guns ablazing

>>12755858
I really don't think that's a good idea.

We could poound on the door and yell something about intruders, then hide maybe?

Transform and inform everyone of the consequences of irritating you. Jesus, when do we get to incinerate a small village?

>>12755781
Scinnari can't really polymorph; more of a 'alters appearance'. Changes color of hair, might make wings vanish, might change skin color, and too a small extend, can alter height and facial features. (And, of course, hair length/style/types.)

Scinnari tends to prefer an avariel, winged elf, with grey-feathered wings, veil and robes, tanned skin, and red hair. Jassa tends to have more angular facial features, white wings, very pale skin, and black hair.

>>12755831
Using the emerald (that's why it cut out for a second when we fell, we lost our grip on it.), it counts as greater invisibility. And no, BTW, invisibility is only broken if you attack someone, (by spell or physically,) but you can open doors, summon monsters, what-have-you without breaking it.

Though if you can prove me wrong, go for it. It's happened before.

Go invisible (if we can?) or otherwise try and hide. Then, try and get the door open to take a look in.

Open the door and look in. It might not even be our devil getting molested.

If it is Scinnari then she can handle herself. She took out 7 vrocks alone and is a combat devil in the lower planes. Plus she has those wicked claws.

We should peek in though.

>>12755997
Except she'd be trying to play the part of an elf, and perhaps trying to avoid killing Finn as we said we wanted to deal with him.

I agree with looking into the room though.

>>12755969
If she is, then Finn dies a horrible death (one that we plan out meticulously, of course). If she's helping to molest... well, then punishment is in order for taking a side dish without clearing it with us first.

>>12756044
That was mostly though running and teleporting though

Can we visualise what's happening to/around Scinnari through the ring/amulet combo? or is it just a general direction inquiry?

>>12756059
She's just doing what we asked her too
I don't see why we need to punish her

>>12756069
I think we can. I remember when we did it before, and got a visual of her in a cell or something. So we should be able to get an impression of what's happening in her immediate area.

So use the magic item to see what's going on without opening the door, maybe?

Out of curiosity, did Cygnis know Finn? I know she has contacts, but did we ever find out who those contacts were?
Man I'm participating in too many quests, I can't keep track of all the details.

>>12756083
>should we voluntarily give up information in exchange for jack shit
I really think this decision makes itself

>>12756070
We told her how to go about it too. When dealing with devils that's just as important as getting it done.

>>12756083
It was very nonspecific, however. It might be better to actually get a clear look.

>>12756109
True, but we may as well try the item first. If that doesn't work, we can go for a clear look instead.

>>12752590
Finally cought up. I don't have time to catch up with this thread though, so I'll have to look through the archive tomorrow.

I will say this: This quest is fucking awesome.

>>12756117
Problem is, time might be of the essence.

>>12756132
We can't spare three or four seconds to check?

>>12756146
Possibly not, you never know. They are fighting right this second, after all.

>>12756160
she can teleport at will, if she's really in trouble she'll just leave

rolled 94 = 94

How about just knock at the door?

Stepping back, you observe the door... shut. Wishing it wasn't you prepare to ope-

Something impacts the door, and already reaching for it, you twist the handle and pull it open, letting it drift after the first pull.


The scene before you is chaotic, but Scin- Jassa is definitely one of the combatants, her white wings flailing chaotically. The other is Finn, hand in her hair, and holding one arm in an almost-armlock, obstructed by her wing. Scinnari-Jassa apparently won't teleport for fear of breaking her cover, or can't. Perhaps this lower level, or even just the room, is shielded against it.

You take the opportunity to step inside, as neither seem to have noticed the open door.

"You.... crazy... bitch!" Finn pants, wrestling her into a semblance of submission. You're actually fairly impressed, he must be better than he looks. A lot better than he looks, she's a fairly decent wrestler.

"Gods.... damnit, Jassa. What happened to you?" he pants, knees on her wings, arms held behind her. A similar position to what you used when you captured Asha, minus the wings.

"Nothing! I just- I'm not interested."

"Bullshit. You were more eager than I was. And then a couple days ago you just /stop/. What, you find someone else? I'm a reasonable man, just tell me. What I don't like is being led on like this.

You take their interesting argument as an opportunity to edge towards the corner, making sure to keep away from Scinnari's facing. She can see through your invisibility.

"Fine! Yes, I found someone else. Unhand me!"

>>12756207
"Ah... so there is someone. Hmm... I don't suppose you've been putting those charms on me at their behest, then? No, you've been doing that longer than just last week. Hmm... Perhaps this 'someone else' has always been there... or maybe you decided you had me in enough of a brainlock you could dispense with the... additional persuasion."

Jassa doesn't respond, but struggles some more. She can't do much, though. Finn's got both position and leverage.

"I don't take kindly to that kind of treatment. In fact, it makes me downright /unfriendly/." Finn states coolly, shifting to quickly reach for something under the bed's pillow. A set of chains, manacles. You can smell magic on them.

As he makes the reach, Jassa breaks an arm loose, and tries to roll Finn off her back, but he recovers, dropping the manacles to re-secure her, then shifting his grip to grab the manacles while maintaining his pin.

"I think you're going to be staying here a while... at least until I figure out what you've been trying for. My 'innocent angel'." he says scathingly.

>>12756207
Oh, this fucker has to die.

Right fucking now.

>>12756207
>>12756212
Right now he dies

rolled 60 = 60

>>12756216

I agree. Stab him in the throat.

rolled 37 = 37

>>12756212
dagger through the back into the heart via the lung or garotte?

so many options, so few targets...

>>12756216
Or knocked out for now. Perhaps Scinnari can do some wonderful things to his mind if he's knocked out and gain control of the whole operation. Or maybe if he's left alive, Scinnari will come to us in our normal persona for help and then we can deal with him in a much more amusing manner.

rolled 23 = 23

Also announce "No one gets their dirty fingerprints all over what is mine!"

Scinnari said she was in a position to take over and kill Finn, so disposing of him is viable. I say we open his throat with our enchanted daggers. When "Jassa" asks why we are here and what we are doing, we calmly explain that we did a job for Finn and damn well expected to see him when we were done. We saw the struggle and thought we would help out. You see, we didn't become known as an assassin able to kill dragons by being stupid... we saw that she was a power behind the scenes.

>>12756232
This has possibilities

>>12756212
What's this about charms going for longer than just a week or so? Is there something that Scinnari hasn't been telling us about what she was doing before we picked her up?

>>12756239
+1

>>12756207
>She's a fairly decent wrestler.
>>12752230
>she's more creative than you, but not by much

Kink-yyyyyyy.....

Don't let her die. Might leave her a day, save her, but don't intervene immediately.

No, we don't kill him. That's too kind. We take ownership of him. He's a master criminal and has a network that would be far too useful for us. I saw we capture him and put the screws to him.

>>12756254
leave her a day?
What?
We're evil, but even we have Standards higher then that

>>12756260
Too dangerous to capture. We have to just kill him. He's obviously skilled and more powerful than he seems. We have to use the element of surprise.

>>12756279

Perhaps he can be cowed. Perhaps he can be bought. We're well endowed to do both. If we can strike up a bargain with him from a position of strength, we kill him.

>>12756254
you're right... killing IS too kind.
>>12756251
-1

garotte until unconscious? do we have any fast acting paralysing poison on us?

>>12756254
Finn touched what belongs to us. For that, he needs to die on principle. Rather than leave Scinnari, I'm more in favour of >>12756239 instead. Quick, immediate vengeance, and we make a net gain out of it as well. And we ensure that her loyalty by backing off Finn does not go unrewarded (even if she might not know it's us doing the rewarding).

>>12756264
She fucked up here. She told us he was putty in her hands, and he just beat her ass.

I'd say leave her an hour or a day, some time, at least, and then save her as Cibach.

Pros:
Gratitude (with potential loyalty bonus,),
Don't tip her off to the fact that we're tracking her. (She didn't show up, we asked around, figured out what happened, rescue'd.)
And let her stew for a bit. She fucked this up big time. We don't even have to be associated with punishment here, which is awesome.

Cons:
She might give something to Finn in that hour or day or whatever. That could be bad. Need to execute everyone who heard it bad.

But she's a devil. She should be able to handle that.

We don't have a garrote, and he's a VERY good hand to hand fighter as we just saw. Too risky to try and capture him. Just off him and do this
>>12756239

Knock him out, let our devil decide what to do with him

>>12756294
The funny thing is she's only in this predicament because of our orders.

You guys just had to be so fucking possessive of our playthings.

Vote seems to be for 'kill'. On question, as Blackjack or Cibach, and whichever answer, what's our justification for being here?

leaving her here isn't an option. If you don't take care of your toys, you lose them.

Justification here.
>>12756239

>>12756355
Wasn't recommending letting him keep her. Just letting her stew for an hour or two. Fear-style. Then bust her out Big Damn Heroes style.

If I'm all alone, though, go ahead and ignore me.

>>12756345
As Blackjack... and we're staging a rescue of all those people in the warehouse? Rescuing her is just a coincidence?

I wonder if that's what the ten a head thing was about. Slave trade?

>>12756345
Blackjack, got annoyed when he did not receive us personally. Where we come from you get paid by the same guy that hired you.

Annoyed at his business handling and getting the feeling that she was in charge we made the decision to save her. Nothing personal so don't bother thanking me.

>>12756375 here

>>12756239 is better.

Why is everything so complicated with you guys?
Just knock him out as ourselves, say we got worried when she didn't report back

>>12756379
>>12756239
Let's say we "heard" she was the real power, rather then felt or saw.

>>12756394
Why would WE be here though? She routinely vanishes for long periods of time. Why would this time be different? It stinks of lies, and she's far from stupid.

>>12756394
we're a red dragon out to find his fortune by playing with the humanoids.
Plots within plots within plots is just what we DO

Fourthing or fifthing or whatever this reason >>12756239

Hate to break the killing mood, but as an idea: Follow scinnari and unlock her when she's left alone?

>>12756425

>>12756425
Yes this is better. We may still be able to use Finn some other way, after all.

>>12756345

We do >>12756239 as Blackjack. Finn dies now.

Are you sure you guys don't want to work on our "why we thought saving the winged elf was a good idea" story a little more? It seems kind of flimsy right now.

>>12756469
We're supposed to be an assassin capable of killing dragons. Finn looked like he might be an obstacle. We have infiltrated our way to this room, so we know what we're doing. We recognise that it would be more profitable to stick with Jassa and leave her in power.

I say we just magically unlock the locks of the chains at an oppertune moment and see what our Devil does next

rolled 99 = 99

Indeed. But lets NOT ursurp Finn ourselves. We'll be tryning to run 2 operations at once then, and that will get complicated story-wise. We should concentrate on our primary overall objective

>>12756510
Of course. "Jassa" can run Finn's operation, I'm sure. We don't need to concern ourselves with it. We control the people who control the people who control these sorts of things, or at least that's what I think we should be aiming for.

>>12756469
>>12756491
>>12756507
Doesn't matter now, the DM has to be already writing by now.

rolled 53 = 53

>>12756517

My thoughts exactly - delegation and all of that.

Also, can we stab Finn now please?

He fastens the second manacle around her other wrist, and stands up, holding her hands high behind her back.

"There. That ought to hold you until I can get some answer from you... You can chill in storage until I can get around to it." he says, yanking her up from the bed. You hear her hiss in pain as he raises her arms.

"Fine." Jassa says, "Whatever you want, just release me." Begging. You thought better of her.

"Now... a bit too late for that, and it's hardly like you could stop me if I wanted you this way. Kindly back up with me." he says, turning around, leading her by the chain. Invisible, you have no real challenge planting a dagger in his eye, then slitting his throat, just in case. He doesn't even scream, just gurgles, and falls to the ground, pumping out blood. Jassa lets out what sounds like a particularly vile swearword as his corpse yanks her downward. Abyssal, you think. Aren't certain though.

Calmly, you reach down and unwrap his dead fingers from around the manacles.

"Here." you state shortly, giving her an invisible hand up. You know she can see you, but she pretends she can't.

"Who- What are you? Who's there?" she asks, a flicker of fear in her voice. Good acting.

"Blackjack." you say, not dropping invisibility. You wouldn't be able to start it again without showing the emerald.

"Why are you down here? Why did you help me?" she asks, questions you can tell she is much more honestly interested in.

"Finn hired me. Finished job. Like getting paid by the person who hires me." you state shortly.

"I see. Reasonable." Jassa agrees cautiously, before laughing ruefully. "I can hardly say otherwise, thank you. May I see who's rescuing me?"

"Potion. When it wears off." you grunt out. The stairs creak, but the guards are not there. You emerge to the top level.

"Well... I am not complaining, but why did you save me as opposed to Finn?"

"You hired me the first time. Power behind throne. Finn looked like your puppet."

>>12756532
"Well... he obviously wasn't." Jassa says ruefully. "Is- is there any way I can thank you? Repay you? My fate would not have been pleasant." she whispers, and you feel her brush your body, then... rub against you. Tiamat's throne-!

"No." you state shortly, as this certainly isn't the time. "Chains, anyway."

"I actually have the keys." Scinnari says. "Fool I was, I made those for him. Pet wizard, he thought I was. Turned out he was right. Told me he wanted to trap some... caster. Truth, evidently."

You grunt agreement.

"The keys are in my belt, left pouch. I could probably do it myself, but I'd be much obliged if you could do it for me."

Grunting assent, you search her belt, finding the keys she mentioned. With some awkward fiddling, you manage to free her.

"What do they do?" you ask.

"Prevent casting. Teleporting. Prevent magic, in general. I should never have made them..." Jassa says regretfully. You think she's lying about having made them; if she isn't, Scinnari is definitely hiding something from you.

"What do you want now? I can order you paid, even order you a bonus, though there will be some... chaos," she says distastefully, "following the discovery of his death."

>>12756536
"Jobs. Pay. Rank. Also want information. Still looking for a dragon, have some leads. Red. Find what you can, call it thanks for saving you. Give you part of hoard after he's dead."

>>12756530
Wish: Granted.

>>12756536
Say we already got paid at the front desk, but ask as an aside to how much a crime boss is going for these days.

>Still looking for a dragon, have some leads. Red. Find what you can, call it thanks for saving you. Give you part of hoard after he's dead."

Oh that's cute. I like that.

>>12756573
This. Say we're hunting a red, and see how far her loyalty might go given an incentive to betray us.

Also begin dropping hints about hearing of other dragons in the region as well? I don't know, are we supposed to be a dragon hunter in general, or do we leave metallics alone and let them be?

>>12756625
Surely that will come back to bite us.

>>12756625
Maybe we only hunt dragons when we are being paid to? It's dangerous work, after all. Say we are in the employ of some very powerful people who shall remain unnamed.

Hey, go easy on our devil
She's just working with the tools she's got

>>12756631
Not if we're manipulating both sides and we do it right, it won't.

"Job. Seniority. Intel. Supplies, should I need it." you grunt out, allowing her to ask the questions.

"Supplies for what?" she says, doing what you wanted.

"Dragon hunting. Was chasing a red here. Vanished. Looking around for it; if it turns out to be here, I'm going to kill it."

"What did it do to you?" she asks curiously. You turn to stare at her. "I mean, you hardly seem a crusading paladin. Why do you pursue it?"

>>12756717
"Because I can."

This was it, I think.

>>12756726
Bah, no. Say we work for very powerful unnamed people. Tempt her more. If they are powerful enough to hunt a red...

Also, he has more to post. Hold off a bit.

>>12756733
You glance at her, very clearly looking her over. She twitches her wings and smiles.

"I saw how your last one ended up." you say shortly, moving forward. "Five hundred gold. In cash. I'll probably be available for what you want."

"Excellent. And how can I contact you?" Jassa asks, skipping over you jab. You detect a hint of wounded pride, perhaps anger at being snubbed.

"Hm. Bar, Beaten Path. Messages with the bar tender, I'll check in every few days." you reply. It ought to work, and you both can find it.


"I see... Well, check in soon, I shall certainly write you. Here.." Jassa says, pulling out some keys. She opens a door, walks into a closet, brushes aside some moth-eaten coats, an elderly painting in the back, revealing a safe. Unlocking it, you see a small collection of valuables, art, gemstones, other similar high-value, low-volume items. She pulls out a golden gem, and a pair of rubies.

"That should be well over five hundred. Red like the dragon you hunt, gold like the one that was seen last night. You've heard of that, yes?"

"Yes."

"It was real, I assure you. Anyway, I hope that is enough for now. Please, keep in touch." You nod, and leave, dropping your invisibility. The guards are surprised when you walk out, but don't move to stop you.

[Should we stop here for the night?]

>>12756733
"Have a deal. Will contact for jobs. Don't try to find me. Gets people killed."

>>12756717
>>12756733
Think we should have said we're getting paid to kill the dragon, and that its hoard is just a bonus, really.

>>12756733
We should cast ladon as a hunter and not so much interested in a desk job, we don't want to have to meet ourself someday.

Has this thread been archived yet?

>>12756739
Make sure we buy a separate warded chest for the gems she pays us in. Put it down on the ledge in our bottomless pit, like with the crystal. We don't want her finding them or scrying them.

Good job, and good thread WD.

>>12756768
>>12756767
Not archived. Also, as it turns out, my roommate has decided to return to our room and start playing Assassin's Creed at almost one AM. I'll be staying up later anyway, it seems.

Then again, this is a decent point to stop, right before we move on to Cygnis/Crystal/Polytiks, so I'll leave it up to you lot.

Finally, any votes on what I should be using as my starting image? The DQ title-screen, as it were?

Scinnari dropped a hint about a gold, I hope if Cibach wants it dead she doesn't employ Blackjack.

If the threads ending, what does everyone think about using out position as Free Captain Cibach to fund the reparations to the lighthouse. Might win a bit of public favor that way.

>>12756799
That lighthouse is hideously expensive and took years to construct. We can't even hope to afford it.

>>12756798
I can go longer, or not. Either is fine. What time is it ingame?

>>12756798
I'd archive it, but I don't know how...

Anyway, if you're willing to continue, I doubt that people would really object, and some of the political stuff can get started.

Also, we need the chest from >>12756768 for our other treasure.

>>12756814
Acknowledged. We can probably trade a ruby for it.

>>12756812
Sure. What should we do?

Let's at least ask the crystal a question or two. You can even give us a plot hook for next thread!

>>12756825
Let's start the crystal charging and then visit Cpt. Arias Soderheim, and his lovely wife. We're both respectable elves, after all. Considering that they tried to recruit us to the Sealord's side, I think they would make a good first stop to scare into supporting us. Then Lydon, of course.

>>12756825
What to do, what to do. Okay, back to our list. What political stuff do we need to get started on as soon as possible? We can pick up the chest on the way. >>12752406 as some of the PR stuff we need to take care of.

rolled 62 = 62

>>12756847

Very much this.

The revelation that the sealord was a cultist should be a potent bargaining chip.

>>12756847
we started to charge it this morning

>>12756825
I have to wonder if we need to visit them all individually? Maybe we can get a couple of the councilors to call a special council meeting and then appear there and mass intimidate them?

>>12756573
That.

Lol Devil.
Anyway, here's the remaining things to do:
1. Convince people to support our position on the council.
2. Capture or kill Azdukashen.
3. Question the Crystal.
4. PR stunts regarding the sealord, the cult, and the lighthouse.
5. Track Cygnis

Some questions listed were:
1. Why it answers us.
2. How it gets its information.
3. What was the purpose behind its creation.
4. What type of creature is the binder currently?
5. What type of creature was the binder before it lost its body?
6. Where is Cygnis presently?
7. Where is Cygnis's hoard?
8. What is the complete listing of traps around Az's hoard?
9. What are the fifty most valuable items in the Temple of the Binder?
10. Where are the previously listed items located within the temple?
11. What councilors will be easiest for us to sway into supporting us as Sealord?

Also

12. How likely is Scinnari to betray us?
13. WHEN would Scinnari be most likely to betray us?
14. A full list of people Scinnari is currently plotting to kill.

Switching to 'Cibach', your name turns out to be enough to get you what you want.

You meet the chief judge on the steps of the Halls of Justice, a nicely public local. You loudly affirm your intent to cleanse the city of the cult, and discuss the requirements of conviction with him. What you find out is interesting...

"We've settled on the tattoo. All the ones found in the lighthouse ruins were either snakes, or had the tattoo on their thighs. Seems to be a sign, if they're in the cult they have it."


It should be easy enough to put certain accused persons to sleep, and for them to wake up with a tattoo. Hmm... Unlikely to work too frequently, if claims of "I don't know, I woke up with it in jail!" pile up, but it should be sufficient to off a few people. Or groups...

Perhaps even a bounty on bodies with the tattoo, though that might get expensive. And would be hard to target.

The thoughts race through your mind. You have a meeting with Councilor Elise, an elderly and extremely capable women. You do not believe you can put very much over her, she is a skilled player. She is elderly, though, and you could easily outlive her. Very easily, with artificial assistance.

>>12756978
Soderheim, you find, has already cut ties with Drac, though he is offering to aid in the reconstruction of the lighthouse. Probably not out of the good of his heart; his people grew very wealthy off it to begin with... Hmm. Either way, they are quite friendly, eager, even, to align with you. They bring up the possibility of being nominated for the council, and pledge their support. Lydon, as always, is a genial sort, not quite simple, but fairly likable, if crude.

You're heading back to your own estate when a hooded figure falls into step beside you. You almost draw steel before she reveals herself.

"Cibach! I'm glad to see you. I've been searching for you all afternoon."

"Ah... I've been busy, Cygnis. What can I do for you? Asha told me you had vanished."

"Indeed. I spent the evening speaking with my brother, and researching what I could about the 'Binder' and that 'Dead One' at the temple. Not much in the way of results. I think the 'Dead One' was a lieutenant or right hand of the Binder, though what I found I would hardly call reliable. I had hoped to question the crystal with you. I believe you need dragonfire to charge it, or at least to start it charging." she finishes. She could be bluffing, but you don't know... She was overseeing the charging yesterday as Cygnariassis, and you did use the same fire when you charged it.

>>12756825
Why can't Scinnari see us as a dragon?
We transformed for the kobolds within 24h, and she has truesight.

>>12756984
We have a ring that has the dual purposes of making us immune to poisons (or most poisons, how actively do we want to test this?), and prevents our shape-shifting from being detected.

And we never take it off.

>>12757005

>>12756984
This has been answered ten billion times. We have a ring that prevents people from noticing we are polymorphed.

Tell her that we have secured the crystal in a secure location and it will take some time to get it back. We didn't think it prudent to leave such a powerful artifact lying about. If she has any questions we could ask them, should she not wish to wait.

>>12756983
Questions safe to ask when Cygnis is present:
1. Why it answers us.
2. How it gets its information.
3. What was the purpose behind its creation.
4. What type of creature is the binder currently?
5. What type of creature was the binder before it lost its body?
6. What are the fifty most valuable items in the Temple of the Binder?
7. Where are the previously listed items located within the temple?
8. What councilors will be easiest for us to sway into supporting us as Sealord?
9. How favourably, or unfavourably, would Scinnari, Azdukashen, and Cygnis respond if we were to court Cygnis.

Questions to ask when Cygnis leaves:
10. How likely is Scinnari to betray us?
11. WHEN would Scinnari be most likely to betray us?
12. A full list of people Scinnari is currently plotting to kill.
13. Where is Cygnis's hoard?
14. What is the complete listing of traps around Az's hoard?

>>12756984
We have a ring or amulet (I forget which) that deflects attempts to perceive what we really are, so she can't see through our polymorph. She can see through the invisibility, but that's all.

>>12757017
Question number 1 there could be pretty dangerous if it answers us due to being a red dragon.

>>12757017
Man, most of those questions we don't want to ask in front of Cygnis.

>9. How favourably, or unfavourably, would Scinnari, Azdukashen, and Cygnis respond if we were to court Cygnis.
If we go with how the crystal has been answering so far, that's like 6 questions.

>>12757032
Then a shame faced reveal, our deepest appologies for decieving her, and the heartfelt confession that we love her!


No, of course she'd never buy it, but it would keep her off balance enough that she'd probably pause... And see that we didn't immediately try to kill her... and wait... and we still don't try to kill her...

You posted this one somewhere, WD. I got it from you.
I like
>>12755889
>>12755823
>>12754973
>>12754256
>>12754147
as well as your OP for quest OPs

Invite her to our (her) home or the usual place if she's more comfortable there and let her take charge with the questions. We'll ask ours after she leaves.

Ask her how Az is doing and what he plans to do now that the cult has been more or less dealt with

>>12757052
Why are you so intent on revealing us for no gain? Stop it.

>>12757017
We can only really ask questions 2-6 and maybe 8 from that list while Cygnis is there.

>ccommere which

No, Captcha, there are no witches here.

>>12757032
she's already said a few things which mean she might be guessing to that effect, and just recently the 'requires dragonfire' thing as well. Looks like if we want to ask it any questions we'll have to risk her knowing.

And I'm ok with this.

>>12755873
We should ask it if we can slay the Binder within it's current location without risk to ourselves, or if we can weaken it somehow and kick it out of it's prison somewhere dangerous - like, say, infront of a really, really hungry ancient red dragon.

>>12757064
If it happens, it happens.
should probably bring the poison, sword and collar with us, just in case, though

>>12757052
No. We don't reveal ourselves. We're not going to get anything out of it. Seriously, why are people so bent on us revealing each other?

If we're desperate to have access to a red dragon form more often, then we can investigate getting a ring or hat or cloak or something-or-other of polymorphing into a dragon (red, gold, silver, blue, whatever). That gives us a bit of leeway while not ruining our cover, particularly if we make it a ring of polymorphing into a red dragon.

>>12757064
You are the ONLY one okay with this. She hasn't even hinted that she has guessed at it, I don't know where you're picking this up.

>>12757058
I'm not. It just seems a good excuse should that happen. And she's probably going to want to hear the answer to that anyway, what with Azdu-bastard tickling her curiosity.

>>12757078
It's a flimsy excuse and she wouldn't buy it.

And we'd get Az-douche on our ass faster than you can blink.

>she's probably going to want to hear the answer to that anyway
this

If we avoid the question, it'll seem REALLY suspicious
better to risk the reveal and try to calm her down than to get her to not trust us

Alright, then, following >>12757017 , roughly. Typing.

>>12757076
A 1/day ring of polymorph at lowest caster level works out at about 10000gp, I think, and scales up from there. More than we can currently afford unless we make off with a lot of cash from somewhere.

T: herp derp herp derp herp derp herp derp herp derp

do ɹoɟ buıʇıɐʍ

If you are so impatient maybe you should join the IRC where you can see he is still working on it.

rolled 21 = 21

>>12757198
>>12757186
>>12757179

>>12757198
That's something I've never seen on /tg/ before. Upside down writing.

...

"Indeed. I was not aware of the dragon-fire element of it, though. I left in in my fireplace, figuring that would be sufficient to heat it all day. I fear my house will be hellishly hot... Nothing you should fear though, of course." you tell her with a laugh.

"Heat is generally the least of my worries, unless it's lack there of." Cygnis agrees. "Questions... there is much to ask it. How much it knows. How it knows. Who the Binder, and that 'Dead One', if the... I hesitate to use the term 'dragon', in the tower yesterday, was it."

"Right... We should probably draw up a list again..."

Returning home, you are greeted by Scinnari.

"Lord Cibach, you're home... And librarian Cygnis. So nice of you to drop by..." she greets. You grimace.

"No fighting. Please. Do not insult her, Scinnari. I'd prefer not to die in a fire. Nor to have my house demolished in a spat of... extraplanar proportions. Don't provoke guests."

"As you wish, 'Lord'." Scinnari replies darkly. You may have to speak with her later, if that wasn't just for Cygnis' benefit.

They follow you to the living room, and you all sit down. It is, in fact devilishly hot, and not due to your company. Grabbing the rather-unnecessary fire-poker, you hook the crystal and pull it out of the fire. Discussion ensues, before you decide on your first question.

"What is the current state, location, and form of the Binder?" you ask.

"Trapped in a timeless demi-plane, accessible only from the outside, and then by application of tremendous power." the crystal chimes out. For Scinnari, who hasn't witnessed it, she starts as it 'speaks'.

>>12757329
"Indeed. And what form did the Binder take?"

"You heard the question." you say, hoping it won't take that as instructions to answer Cygnis' every question, "What was the Binder?"

"An ancient sorceress-queen." it chimes.

"I see." says Cygnis. "And who was the 'Dead One'?"

"Was the Dead One what we opposed yesterday?" you ask.

"Yes."

"What was it?"

"An ancient Black dragon, one of the earliest bound, still bound while the Binder was perfecting the process." it states. Cygnis starts at this.

"What is 'Binding'?" you ask, preempting the question she was about to demand.

"Binding is a ritual that the Binder developed to mostly slave creatures to her will." the crystal rings. Cygnis looks disturbed by this. Reasonably so, it's disturbing to you, too.

"Ask it why the Binder went after dragons." Cygnis orders. You accede, as you are interested too.

"The Binder targeted dragons. Why?"

"The ritual was extremely difficult, resource-intensive, and inefficient. She preferred to bind the most powerful to her." it rings. A reasonable tactic, you suppose.

"And why does it answer you?" Scinnari asks, caught up in the question-fervor.

"I-.." you start, but are aware of Cygnis nodding. "Just promise not to tell Azdukashen, alright?" you say half in jest.

"Unless it's because you're Asmodeus, Archduke of the Ninth circle, I think I can refrain." she replies, facetious as well.

>>12757332
"Why do you answer me, and no one else?"

"I answer others." it replies.

"Who do y- Why do you answer me?" you repeat, pressing your question.

"Because you are the Binder."

At this point, a few things happen extremely quickly. First of all, Cygnis reverts, and almost instantly you find yourself underneath a large claw, a dragon suddenly occupying your first and second floor. Wooden floors provide her no obstruction.

Scinnari shouts as wood shatters and pulverizes, and suddenly has a bow, drawing and releasing on Cygnis. The shot deflects of Cygnis scales. There is a split moment of inaction as wood clatters to a halt and Cygnis turns to snarl at Scinnari.

"What in the nine hundred and ninety nine scorching, freezing, shifting layers of the lower plans was that?" you hear a shout from elsewhere in the house. Your cook. You take advantage of the moment's pause to reply,

"Nothing to be concerned with, Vlad. We have guests. Please prepare refreshments.". It's difficult keeping calm when you are facing down an angry dragon as a humanoid, but you somehow manage to do so, despite being pinned between her claws.

>>12757334
"Ah... Cygnis, much as I love your company, this is a little too close for comfort at the moment. Perhaps you could offer me the benefit of the doubt and allow me to gain more information? That answer surprised me a much as you." you pant out, heart racing. Your voice is mostly steady.

Reading Cygnis expression, you are surprised to see what looks a lot like abject terror. And suspicion, and anger.

"Please. I am the wrong gender, as far as I know." you add.

"Give him the crystal." Cygnis orders Scinnari. You don't even have to look to know Scinnari is preparing a retort.

"Please, Scinnari,hand me the crystal." you reiterate, gesturing with your non-pinned left hand. Scinnari snarls and hands it over. Suddenly Cygnis is no longer on top of you, polymorphed once more.

"I... forgive me, Cibach. That was... wrong of me." she states, once more 'Cygnis'.

"Ah.. I can't say your paranoia is unjustified, but I hope I have been true enough that /that/ was not warranted." you reply evenly, getting up and dusting yourself off. Standing up, feeling a bruise or two, you turn to stare at her. She looks down, at her hands, at her feet.

"That... is what changed my mind. You have saved me at least twice. I... owe you more than that." she says. Not exactly comprehensive, but it sounds heartfelt, and an impressive apology, coming from a dragon.

"Very well. That was a rather... terrifying revelation. I can hardly blame you." you say, "Crystal. How is that correct? You refer to the Binder as female. I am... not female, as far as I know."

"Correct. You are her... son, if you will. There is no proper terminology. She created you to release her. She is most displeased that you have instead worked to thwart the release of her servant." it burbles happily.

>>12757337
"A.... disturbing revelation, I believe you called that." Cygnis says. She looks... shaken.

"Indeed." you can only agree.

>>12757347
Cygnis is totally paying for a renovation of our house.
Tell her this.

Is that delivery enough for you?

Shit just got real.

Also, we need to get this binding process and use it on Cygnis. And Az-douche.

Can we ask where the Binding ritual is or how to gain knowledge of it? If Cygnis wants to know why, then we can just tell her it's to find out how to cancel the ritual.

great... I liked that house...
thank Cygnis sincerely for trusting us enough to release us. We know she has 'issues' with the concept of the binder and that she was able to calm down means a great deal to us.
If she still seems ashamed life her face to us, kiss her softly and say again, in all sincerity *Thank you'

To the crystal: The binder set no safe guards on her 'son' to ensure that he would obey her wishes?

>>12757360
Ask the crystal what its (the crystal's) purpose is.
Ask the crystal how it (the crystal) gets its information.
Ask it why it suspects, or how it 'knows' that we are part of the binder.

>>12757347
First, ask Cygnis if she'll pay for the new flooring. Then ask the crystal if we have any special powers that come directly from our 'mother' by nature of her powers, rather than our 'species'. Next, ask if collapsing the demiplane would kill her permenantly. If so, ask how. If not, ask if we can seal it off permenantly, or at least empty it into Asmodeus Palace without being present in the Ninth level of Hell.

rolled 52 = 52

Firstly, we need to get our house in order - figuratively and literally.

1: Fix house.
2: Have a word with Scinarri

I have to agree, that was uncalled for. Please ask for some repair funds.

Mention to her that we didn't know, and finding out that most of our past has, apparently, been a lie is rather shocking to us as well. Ask her if she has any further questions, and do our best to assure her that we have no intention of freeing the binder... indeed, were it not for us she would have been freed already.

After she leaves, we need to have a chat with mom and ask her why she didn't tell us this before and what freeing her would entail.

Also, I suggest a talk with Scinnari. Maybe ask about Arman, since she mentioned him before.

>Is that delivery enough for you?
Well, it results in more questions.

>>12757370
That's a good question, but the kiss is way over the line.

>>12757373
Further, ask if our blood offers us the 'potential' to develop specific powers - say, to become a variety of dragon, like all of her servants?

rolled 64 = 64

>>12757370

Thanking, yes. Kissing, no.
At least not before we've sorted Scinarri out.

>>12757388
>>12757377
>>12757373
>>12757370
>>12757363
We have to ask how the Crystal gets its information.
An what the Crystal is meant to -do-.

>>12757370
No kiss. Are you TRYING to burn all our bridges at once?

ask: why was the crystal created?

>>12756536
just wondering did Scinnari swearing mean she realized who we are?

At this point i am curious. Scinnari is keeping secrete but is that because she fears we will punish her? (more for our contemplation)

Maybe we could ask her some questions about her life. Maybe hinting we want to better understand her.

btw i think it would work out better to show her leniency. Of course being reasonable.

Also correct me if i am wrong but she infiltrated fin's organization at our request. In fact she could rule the cities underworld if she takes over Finn's position and our backing.

also keep in mind Scinnari probably feels the same way when we kiss someone else as we do when she romances someone.

oh ask why the binder was exiled to begin with.

Crystal: is there any doubt or lying in your answers?
(ask this while Cygnis is here to detect lies)
Crystal: what is your purpose?
Crystal: how do you get your information?
Cibach: What does being the binder 'mean'? As in, what abilities do I get?
Cibach: Can I work against the purpose for which I was created?

>>12757450
She's planning to sell Cibach out to Blackjack and then split the hoard.
Problem? Blackjack is Cibach.

>>12757450
>also keep in mind Scinnari probably feels the same way when we kiss someone else as we do when she romances someone.

So? We've made it clear to her that we're in charge. She's a tool. The prize of our hoard, and belongs to US. We decide how to use her and in what capacity. She does not get a say in the matter.

>>12757479
This path that you walk.... It ends in pain.

After a few moments to let it sink in, you begin speaking again.

"Cygnis, I, ah, know you are the one who provided the house, but..." You trail off glancing upwards. Say.... sixty percent of the top floor, hell, sixty percent of the house's interior has been unmade.

"I- of course, Cibach. Again... I am sorry. At the very least, I shall attempt reparations." she says, glancing up to view the damage herself. She doesn't seem surprised so much as ashamed. Probably for losing control, or the terror she displayed.

"It's alright, Cygnis. Thank you.".

"No. It isn't... That should not have happened." she says, a hint of bitterness. You break out laughing.

"Shouldn't have happened?! I'm the one who just got told I'm a construct of some kind! ...I'm sorry." you say at last, as you regain control of yourself, "You- I'm sorry. The moment weighs heavily on me as well."

"There is every right for it to." Cygnis replies neutrally. Ah. You may have gone a tad too far.

"Alright. What does... a creation such as I entail?" you ask, trying to avoid another serious reveal.

"Very little. First of all, you are technically her descendant, as well as her. You... count as her for most purposes."

"Could I command her Bound?" you ask, not feeling optimistic.

"Not at all. But you could reenact her ritual, you could free her, you could- use the Binding ritual, should you discover it."

"Really..." Scinnari purrs with interest. Her eyes flicker to Cygnis.

>>12757485


"Hah. If an Empress found it 'expensive' and 'demanding of her resources'... I think I could not." you reply, truthful, but also trying to lure Cygnis away from the obvious question.

>"Can you teach me the ritual of Binding?"


"How do you learn what you know?" you ask, trying to distract everyone present, crystal included.

"I sift data from those I am in proximity to. I can constantly passively sift some from the Empress."

"In our minds?" Cygnis snaps.

"Ou- In our head?" you snap too. Somethings are fairly unpalatable no matter who you are.

"Indeed. And that of those near me." it chimes. It's the same sound as ever, but if you had to assign it a 'tone', you'd go with... self-satisfied.

"I see. And for what purpose or purposes were you created?"

"Many. Three questions remaining." it states, almost as if it has decided it wants to close up this discussion.

>>12757484
She's bound to us by contract. She understands this, or should. Of course she might try and backstab us, she's a devil. That's why we have the Blackjack persona.

>>12757485
Ask if the Binder has the power to unmake/destroy us.

>>12757486
Ask if we can unlock any abilities from our heritage, or develop them, aside vrom 'counting as' and learning the binding ritual. Or even, say, transform into one of her draconic servants without being bound.

Ask how we would go about ending her threat in a manner that is achievable to us.

>>12757456

She hasn't made it clear that is her intention.

>>12757370
Does Azdukashen intend to kill me?

Why was I created without knowing of the Binder if my purpose was to free her?

Ask who else it answers, besides us and the binder.

We might want to destroy. get rid of it earlier if it's to easy to use.

>>12757370
I think we should give Mom the benefit of the doubt here. If nothing else we should have a talk with her after this is over and we chat with Scinnari.

Guys, let's not ask anything dangerous to us while Cygnis is present, hmmm?

rolled 7 = 7

The Binder is using undead black dragons and all sorts of portals and stuff. Could be a bit of a problem to our power ambitions.

think we should go light on Scinnari. What we are doing is called entrapment where you push someone to do what you expect them to do until they do.

to be fair i think it would be a good idea to apologize to Scinnari and say we have been a bit jellus. Would relive tension we have been creating and show Scinnari that we care enough for her to invoke suck crazy tactics. Also creates far more trust between the two of us.

if she really wanted to stab us in the back she really could but she has not.

>>12757528
She is not our waifu. She is a devil. It is foolish to forget this and not make backup plans accordingly, especially given how useful and important she is to our plotting.

>>12757528
She knows where the dragon slaying sword is. She could use it any time she wishes.

Has anyone yet considered she's a disciple of Gargauth or analogue?

>>12757535
Eventually she might be our waifu. But presently, no she is not. I do not see any evidence that leads me to believe she is of waifu status at this juncture, except perhaps the refusal to sleep with Finn after we commanded it. And that's only a maybe, as she was trying to put the moves on Blackjack afterward.

>>12757535

I am not advocating to not having back up planes but i am advocating that we don't make them necessary.

of course if all else fails we can become a disciple of Asharon. however this should be last of last resorts and only if we are totally betrayed by Scinnari not because of paranoia or us using forcing her to do so.

I think their is far more to Scinnari than just being a devil but we need her to open more up to us to find out.

"If the Binder desired me to free her... Then why did she create me without knowledge of her or her imprisonment?" you ask slowly. Scinnari nods thoughtfully.

"You were not made. You were born a perfectly normal individual of your species. The Binder selected you as promising. Capable. She destroyed and remade you, the same but hers. She now holds the power to undo the change, as well as contact you, as you have already determined."

"It has contacted you?" Cygnis interjects sharply. You ignore it occupied with another question of your own.

"So she threatens me with.... undoing the change? That doesn't sound like a threat, what would it imply?"

"It would mean your mind would be undone, wiped clean, back to the day that she remade you." it dings away. "Your body would be as well. She is unlikely and very reluctant to do it as it would destroy her most likely tool. She holds it over you as a threat, however. Further, she can cause you to feel... things."

>>12757595
"'Things'? That's hardly anything but ominous, and not at all descriptive."

"Any pain she is willing to inflict upon herself, she can make you feel. Any emotion she can feel strongly in herself, she can make you feel."

"Fine..." you spit out, this discussion leaving a foul taste in your mouth. Being... 'unmade', would be tantamount to death. Not technically... A body would go on living, a mind would too... but... They would not be you, you-as-you, not Cibach Azal and certainly not Azaladon. You also feel it likely you would remember nothing of what has passed.

You would, for all intents and purposes, die, a totally different individual would take your place.

"Fine." you repeat, "Is there any benefit to being... remade in her image?" you ask, sarcastic.

"Possibly. It is too early to tell. One thing that seems likely, though, is you will find you have a great talent for natural sorcery, and spellcraft. Extremely great."


"I see... Back to a previous question, enumerate and explain the reasons for which you were made."

"One reason was to sow discord. The Binding can be resisted by extreme hatred targeted at the binder; For that reason, I was created, to keep the Bound's hatred directed at each other. It worked marvelously, if I do say so myself." the crystal chimes with a brief character of tone.

"Last one. That was more than three questions. Why?"

"I'm afraid I couldn't possibly tell you. I require charing." the crystal replies, before going dead.

>>12757535
As long as we offer her a position of power as our right hand she doesn't need to have us done away with. No waifu-ing in that argument.

>>12757580
Devils probably operate under completely different sexual habits to humans. We probably shouldn't be too offended she was sleeping around. She stopped because she's following our orders, not because that's her idea of an ideal relationship. Also that got her in quite a bit of trouble, and don't think I'm letting anyone forget that next time we try to be so controling.

Tell Cygnis that we did hear it in our mind a few times when we were in cult ruins, and once on the tower before we killed the dracolich. We assumed it was part of being in the cult's chambers, as they had dark magic that could manipulate minds. We thought nothing of it, whisperings of a dark god that we could easily ignore. Surely she knows the feelings of having one's thoughts pried into is not... pleasant. Nor something one wishes to discuss or have happen again.

>>12757598
We should ask for magical instruction - from both Cygnis and Scinnari. Hell-magic and dragon-magic could be damn useful, especially when combined. One is our birthright, the other could lead to some interesting combinations. If it doesn't damn us. We need to charge it and ask how we can avoid being 'undoing the change'. Also, the sorcery would be insanely useful when the day comes to gut that fucking Gold and rape her spirit.

I'm thinking we may want to A, try and make nice with the evil voices in our head, and B, become more religious. A LOT more religious. We've mentioned Tiamat twice now, and both times as oaths, not... reverence.

If a something doesn't worship it's god, hell just gets nastier...


Also, I wholeheartedly support gaining as much of Cygnis' trust as we can. Even Bind her, if we can. Would be so cash.

let's reassure Cygnis before moving on
"Yes, I have heard a voice in my head, No I did not know what or who it was. I did not say anything because I. Heard. A Voice. In. My Head. Not a prime symptom of sanity"

"ok... let's consider where we are. Scinnari, you're bound to me so you don't really have a choice, do you? We should discuss this at a later time. So the pressing question is what do you intend to do, Cygnis? Joining forces with Az-douche would make destroying me quite simple...

Right, we need to learn magic. Lots of it, and fast.

rolled 100 = 100

I do think we need a long open discussion with Scinarri though. Getting feedback will be very handy, rather than guessing at what she's trying to think.
When did we start parading about as Ladon again?

Potential questions and/or answers:
What is Irking you?
What are your ambitions at my side?
What do you think of /me/?
Are you /happy/ generally at the moment?

If she asks, having clued onto if we're ladon, why?: I needed a way to dispose of Arman (the priest, can't remember his name) without drawing attention to myself.

>>12757666
Stop rolling 100s. It means the law of averages will bite us in the ass.

I agree with having a long, open chat with Scinarri.

"A very strange artifact." Cygnis says. An understatement if ever you have heard one.

"On that there is consensus." you say without reservation.

"It said you had already contacted the Binder." Cygnis says, suddenly sharp

"/Been/ contacted /by/ the Binder." you correct. "While dealing with cult activities. Last time it was right before we killed the dracolich."

"Dracol- Hmmm. I suppose it could have been... This is a positively...." Cygnis trails off.

"Damnable." you suggest without emotion.

"Damnable artifact." Cygnis agrees.

"What do you intend to do about it?" Scinnari asks.

"I'm not certain what there IS to do about it." you reply irritably. "It seems through-and-through monumentally unpleasant."

>>12757677
But not so open we tell her that we are Ladon.

>>12757598
Thoughts on magical instruction? I'm inclined to agree, if only for flexibility - and defence, beyond being a two story red dragon.

>>12757679
I disagree. I like this artifact. It can tell us all manner of awesome things about all manner of other things.

I second getting back in touch with the Binder ASAP, and having a conversation with Scinnari.

>>12757682
Of course. There's a difference between an open chat and losing all intelligence and common sense.

>>12757685
I think it's a good plan. We can justify it truthfully to Cygnis as us trying to search for a way to avoid being "undone."

rolled 15 = 15

Hold on there just a second - what if the stone IS said sorceress/'s means of direct communication?

Author failure here. I need sleep. Period. I'm going to go hunt some down and kill it right now. In the meantime, we must stop here.


For now, suggest how you want to proceed in any time offscreen, and where you want to resume on Sunday. Post and/or email me with how you want to proceed. I'll be checking the results before I start Sunday's thread.

Another question for the crystal: Why is our sword so freaking awesome?

>>12757725
Here. Good ni-Morning.

>>12757725
Begin studying magic - either from books, Scinarri, Cygnis, or all three. Whatever we can. Set Asha to looking for books and legends on the 'binder', have her ingratiate herself with other people more knowledgable on ancient draconic legends. Ask Cygnis if she can send out messengers to anyone she knows.

>>12757740
This sounds good. We should also add:

- Chat with Scinnari
- Get plenty of PR action in. We can't let our political goals slide.
- Purchase various magical objects. Includes a warded chest for our new treasure, as well as anything else we might desperately need.

we could ask it about Cygnis's lost memory as well would be funny is she also is a part of the binder but highly unlikely.

hope this is devilish enuf

rolled 97 = 97

Also - have we been archived?

>>12757827
http://suptg.thisisnotatrueending.com/archive/12752230/