Exactly one of your guests makes the blunder of actually remarking on Azyra's bizarre appearance. Well, two- The Morinthian ambassador, though, is intelligent enough to keep her questions polite and interested. The other, the visiting prince of a miniscule kingdom bordering yours, is somewhat less polite, though, you take pleasure in noting, is given quite the tirade by his 'minister' afterward- The actual diplomat quite enraged at the prince's gaffe.

Ozzias Mazran proves totally unperturbed, and seems to strike up quite a friendship with Lady Issa. You do not contact him privately after the initial reception, nor does he you. He seems to be surprised, but simply not care about the issue of Azyra's birth, or particular heritage. You thank him via note, and leave it at that when he does not reply. Likewise, you send thanks to Seffestranias- Obviously she was hardly surprised, but she was an excellent ally, regardless. She dismisses it as 'nothing', but does not turn down the small gift you pass on to her in thanks. It was hardly necessary, in your opinion- She, more than any other, is most comfortable availing herself of your hospitality and minions. And her gift...

Though your attention passed over it, looking instead for hostile or otherwise inimical enchantments, the blade she gifted to Azyra is, beneath several other enchantments, empowered with chaos for the disruption of order. Nothing sinister, or with any threat of suborning will or intent, but it does inflict disproportionately horrific wounds on those of lawful nature that it touches. You are interested to find Azyra immune, but were Scinnari (or perhaps yourself?) to be wounded by it, you doubt you would appreciate the results. There is little danger of this; Scinnari is educating Azyra in swordplay, but does not allow Azyra to use the enchanted blade. Along with simply being dangerous, she derides magical assistance as a crutch Azyra may use later, but should not be dependent on while she learns.

The nature of these horrific wounds you are sad to discover, mostly due to the manner in which you find out. Apparently, eager to practice what she has so far been taught, and overly proud of her gifted possessions, your daughter attempted to pick a fight with one of your minions.... A guard, a lizardman by the name of Ixansiva, torn between a desire to obey your daughter, desire to not be injured, her loyalty to you, and fear of injuring Azyra, was quite seriously wounded as Azyra attempted to goad her to combat. She will almost assuredly survive, as you have the healing magic to make sure that she does, but you are most displeased with Azyra for the... wastefulness exhibited in the action.

Despite the annoyances life exposes you to, time passes. Shortly after the end of your party, those of Asha's children that you dispatched to the Ivory gates have reported. They have managed to do some research on the subject, though they hesitate to use the word 'infiltration'. They have not been identified as humans, but are being treated with open suspicion as foreigners, and have been quite limited in what they can accomplish. Despite this, they have some information to forward to you; the cloud giants above the 'Gate are rumored to be quite malicious, albeit reclusive. Further, an ancient gold dragon features prominently in local legends, though there seems to be a consensus that she no longer lives. There is some disagreement about just when, or how, the being you believe to be Lorekeeper finally died, but they do seem to agree that she is dead. Additionally, ancient tradition among the avariel holds that the twin white mounts of the Ivory Gate were bequeathed to them by the ancient gold, as her favored servants, and that that claim supersedes all others. Fanciful, and in the avariel's favor, to be sure, but still corroboration of your findings...

############
[Sorry I'm late. Let's get to it, shall we?]

I spent this week reading all the Dragon Quest threads. So now I can participate. This quest is good and you should feel good.

>>14626424
If that is the case, thank you, very much.

Do feel free to join the chat. (IRCHighway, #dragonquest.)

Hmm. We really should discourage Azyra being so wasteful of good, loyal minions.

Scold Azyra and explain why what she did was wrong. Not because she injured another being. she only needs to feel regret for family and friends being hurt. No, the place she went wrong was damaging a loyal minion who was a resource.

Even that is not terrible, however. No, the reason she is being punished is because there was no reason for it. Loyal minions need to be kept loyal, and if you start randomly killing them they stop being so blindly worshipful. THAT is what was bad about the act. It could have hurt in the long term.

Praise the lizardwoman and give her a reward for taking it like a champ rather than fighting back.

>>14626641
Yeah, tell her that it wasnt hurting the lizard that was bad but that she did it at random and randomly killing mooks is not a way to keep them loyal to you.

>>14626724
>>14626641
Not "On Screen". This isn't Family Quest, this is godamn Dragon Quest. Yes, we have a family, but we've been spending too much time focusing on them.

>>14626861
Then tell me what else to do. So far that's the only thing I can start writing on.

>>14626868
Maybe do a mini time skip, so we can follow up any possible leads on Lorekeeper. Or more Mza development, or more politics.

Though preferably Lorekeeper.

>>14626868
Really, we need to investigate Lorekeeper. That and deal with our family are the only issues we have at the time.

Also how is our infiltration of the knightly order going?

Okay. Things to do.

Spend some time closely monitoring how Mza has evolved. We've been wrapped up in foreign plots for a while, but it's important to keep our claw on the pulse of Mza, both economically and socially. How are things changing, and what do people think of those changes? Who (groups and individuals) are the powerful? Who is thought well of, and who thought poorly of? Are all things in order? What are foreign influences on us, and what do our people think of them?

I am interested in getting really into this for a bit, instead of basically black-boxing Mza as a thing that gives us money and that's it. Let's get into some details and spend some time tweaking things to be more perfect on our home isle.

“Azyra, I must confess to being /quite/ disappointed in you.” you say sadly. “My expectations were probably too high for your age, but I can't help it.” You pause, and to her credit, Azyra doesn't try to interrupt or defend herself. She seems quite scared, and perhaps even ashamed... Perhaps realizing belatedly quite how silly her actions were.

“Dearest, while it was within your right to do such a thing... it was wasteful. Foolish.” Scinnari chimes in, agreeing with you. Azyra sits on her lap, shrinking away from you. You aren't trying to be terribly intimidating, but... Yes. Skimming the surface of Azyra's mind, you detect a few of her thoughts, and it is as you'd hoped. Ashamed. Feeling stupid. Sorry.

“Do you know why it was?” you ask, deciding to give her the option to answer. She does, and mostly correctly, to your satisfaction.

“Because... it was.. stupid. I didn't have a reason... A reason worth discouraging... Trying...” Azyra attempts, trying to pin down the reason behind her guilt. She finds herself unable to do so, though, and halts with what she has already managed. “I didn't have a reason.”

“Close. You were on the right track.” you answer encouragingly. “Because they are loyal... They look upon me as their god, Scinnari as their empress, and you as my half-divine daughter... Something they are correct in, though I believe your divine heritage is from your mother, contrary to what they believe.” you comment. Scinnari bows her head with a smile in acknowledgment of your comment. “But as you were saying, or trying to, you challenge that belief. Try it. Put it to the test... And the more they are driven to question it, the less complete their devotion will be. You have- quite minimally, but all to significantly,- reduced the faith and reliability of our servants.”

“I... Understand.” Azyra replies, and you smile with satisfaction.

“Good. I consider it a worthwhile expenditure, provided you learn, my dear. So long as it doesn't happen again... I am willing to drop it.”

* * *

'Lady Issa' thanks you for her invitation, and by unspoken extension, other things as well, before returning to the mainland. She is, it turns out, quite busy- work has a way of piling up in abeyance. A small rebel movement to the north west of your domain, and rumors of a cult of extraplanar worshipers slowly growing on your eastern border. Nothing that requires your attention, but work for her to attend to, as your royal assistant, and right hand, after Scinnari.

The Order of the Striking Sky- An unwieldy and overly pretentious name, you conclude, and not for the first time. Perhaps related to their deity’s penchant for flinging lightning around- is a militant and fairly well known order. Not famous, but well traveled, and tireless hunters of evil. Well received and rendering assistance wherever they go. Almost sickening, and certainly annoying, in terms of finding those willing to risk working against them. Mortals aren't terribly moral, though, and money does find a way. Infiltration of the order itself is remarkably difficult, but it is much easier to move agents into position to eliminate the members... Naturally, this is done so, with all possible haste.

>>14627128
I support this.

I also think we should begin magically (and if required, physically) searching for a way into the cloud castle.

>>14627220
Couldn't hurt to scry the north too, find where Soulless is, if for no other reason than to make it look like we are moving forward to our invisible spectator.

>>14627128
Mza has almost run away with its development, now that you look back to it. You don't even seem necessary, except to nudge it back into the right direction every now and then. Growing rapidly, it's slowly attracting more of the (generally younger) lizardmen tribes to it's populace, and the scattered professionals and services you once paid dearly to acquire have organized themselves into guilds and districts.

Primarily orderly, and of excellent weather, the largest problem seems to have been caused by your manipulation of the weather; without heavy rains, the hundreds of varieties of jungle insects are no longer cut down, or forced to retreat for sections of the year. The island is a veritable hive of buzzing insects, biting, eating, stinging, or otherwise. A variety of wood-eating insect has made the few native trees resistant to the creatures on the island highly sought after. Almost to the point of extinction near the city, but of reduced numbers even further afield- Naturally the harvesting of such trees is now strictly regulated, but regrowth to useable will take decades. And be profitable, you think, unless an alternative is discovered...

Primary revenue, as far as you are concerned, comes mostly from the annual fees you collect from most guild fees and individual housing taxes- As Scinnari organized your governmental bureaucracy, every building constructed in the past two decades owes you yearly taxes. A delightful system, and not quite as stratified as pure feudalism.

[More coming]

>>14627128
While doing this we should check up on the world in general as well, notable events and such.

Guys, what do you think about taking our Dao, summoning an efreet, and then going beneath the smoking mountain and causing it to erupt and disrupt both Rhasaver and their adamantine trade. It will make our production much more valuable, after all, and Mza more influential.

>>14627317
I'd be hesitant about that. We would need to make sure that they, and their pet mages in Morinth, wouldn't be able to trace it back to us. They wouldn't take that lying down. If they knew it was us, it would be war.

>>14627339
That's what we have a mind blank for.

"Was the eruption man-made, and if so who did it?" will just be a fizzled spell and "Well guess it was natural after all."

>>14627358
I'm guessing they have safeguards to prevent a natural eruption. They would certainly have both the money and incentive to do it. They would know that it was man-made, a fizzled spell would just tell them that the person responsible is protected against scrying.

>>14627398
Either way, we're good.

>>14627128
>>14627296

As for the culture of Mza... The first and foremost item thereof is not to get involved in the king's business. It is reputed to be wholly mysterious, sinister, and rumors swirl about disappearances, a few even likening taking up governmental service to be similar to selling your soul. Groundless, and in spite of several prominent examples to the opposite, of course, but annoyingly persistent. It does, however, mean that nobody challenges your guards, for fear of ending up 'involved', and your governmental business runs quite smoothly. Aside from that, Mza is the classic expanding market, and rumored to be a place where anyone can find work and highly profitable employment. It fails to always live up to it's fantastical reputation, and many immigrants end up diseased and bug-food, but for the most part, it maintains a positive appearance. The omnipresence of insects has driven some speculation on the island off the mark, actually, with some guessing Lord Prestor to be some extraplanar creature, perhaps the insectoid version of a mind-flayer, or other ludicrous ideas. Most of them are quite amusing, really.

The prevalence of insects has left the lizardmen with quite an advantage, in some ways- their scaly hide can resist most of the parasitic creatures, and and they have long passed down methods for dealing with the few breeds that can penetrate their scales. Humans, elves, and others, though, are forced instead to to seek clerical assistance in combating disease. Their dependance on divine magic has given birth to the stereotype that citizens of Mza are incredibly devout, worshiping their gods above all else but gold, and and fearing their chosen deity above all but the Sorcerer-king himself. Fanciful though it is, it's essentially true, and clerics of all religions are given great respect by the normal citizens of Mza.

>>14627358
It's apparent that the gods have access to information which effortlessly blasts through mind blank. I will be shocked if they don't have at least one cleric of a level to get the truth on the case.

>>14627490
Unpleasing.

We need to reduce these insects, if for no other reason than to lower dependence on gods. Also maybe institute a tax on the churches, like the guilds? Or perhaps limit the number of clergy in the city? I'd rather keep Mza as secular as reasonably possible.

Hmm.... Treat religions as any other commercial enterprise. Bump them up to the next property-tax bracket. I'm okay with them if they're giving us money...

>>14627603
Oooh! Idea! We could hire the elven alchemist who lives on the island to create some insect-repelling incense and sell it as a government-regulated monopoly. This would boost our income even more, negate the insect problem, and reduce the population's dependence on clerics!

Not only that, but since incense burns they will always be coming back for more. It will be a constant stream of income until we can get around to eradicating all the nasty bugs permanently.

>>14627603
>Also maybe institute a tax on the churches
almost never a good idea when the gods/goddesses of said churches can smite people for real.
property tax is ok
religion tax is not

>>14627650
I think we should just magic them away. Hire a team of druids to come to the island and get rid of them.

>>14627666
So you're saying we can't do it because they won't like it? Since when has that stopped us before? Besides, fuck them, I'm sure they deal with taxes in other nations at times. They can deal with it here too.

>>14627666
>property tax is ok
>religion tax is not
I would assume that we're taxing all the churches already in the fashion of any other business- based upon gross annual income. If they bought the land for a church at some point and are getting regular contributions/donations, the king gets his cut. No need to treat anyone special.

>>14627692
Right, that's all I meant. If we aren't already taxing the churches like the guilds then we should be, since they basically are a business.

Eh, seems we have to find some druids, import some bug eaters or just bust out the sorcery to solve this bug problem. Personally I'm for getting some Lizardmen Druidism going on, state regulated deliverance from bugs. Problem is finding a teacher, and of course loyalty and whatnot.

>>14627671
I now have the bizarrest urge to see a drawfag's rendition of "Contractor Druid."

>produce aavionm
Either telling us to depend on avian insect-eaters, or possibly a crop that eats insects. I don't know.

I'm for either the incense or the druids, as long as we get rid of those damn insects and kick that crutch out from under the churches. We should keep the culture from getting too religious, except towards us of course. How is our cult among humans doing, by the way?

>>14627734
Druids are a great idea. We can have a state-sponsored druidic circle; they keep things under control and we take their advice when maintaining things like the pace of urbanization and what have you. Though if they start getting uppity about our disrupting the natural weather patterns, we'd have to smack 'em a good one. They're employed to mitigate the downsides of our crazy sorcerous excesses, not make us curtail them.

>>14627748
Let's do both? The incense is short term and lets us profit while we get the druids to go around and take care of the long-term insect elimination. Eventually the incense will not be required anymore, but that's fine since eventually we want the entire island urbanized anyway and that will mean no insects eventually too.

>>14627687
we are married to a devil and have a half devil half red dragon child. the gods that are likely to be helping their people are likely good, and would thus see us as an abomination. I see no reason to draw more attention to us.

>>14627687
They won't just not like it, you'll be getting crusaders and shit knocking at your door for prejudicing against their religion. This isn't gospel down the road where your poor and helpless kindly old monk can't pay off the bills. This is an order of essentially blood thirsty paladins and an actual god that can actually kill you.
Please be more subtle.

>>14627781
No, fuck that. We don't need a state sponsored druidic circle or "advisers" with that kind of power. We just hire a few druids to clear out the bugs, that's it. Nothing more.

>>14627801
Sounds to me like all the more reason for restricting their power before they get too entrenched. A powerful church has always been problematic for rulers, we don't want them to get that way here. Mza is our turf, not some god's.

>>14627748
It grew very slowly. It is also obviously a dragon-cult once someone enters it, so you have to keep yourself removed from it. Not only that, but humans, dwarves and halflings exhibit far less... natural worship towards dragons than lizardmen do. Some, of course, see dragons as things to worship, but those are usually just creepy.

However, with your control of Mza, you are capable of providing tangible benefits to your worshipers- Not spells or magic, like a real god, but you can arrange for good things or exceptions to happen (subtley) as signs of the Red Lord's favor. Currently your cult numbers almost a hundred and twenty non-lizardmen members. Almost all lizardmen worship you as a deity to some degree or another.

>>14627801
>>14627793
I think that dealing with the insect problem is a good project to have undertaken. It will reduce our peoples' dependence on the clergy, which will result in less support for them, and all in manner which is service to the public good so the churches can't complain.

>>14627888
We should give the lizardmen (or those with lizardman blood... eww) a few tax breaks. Maybe link it to the number of children they have, to encourage them to keep their population from vanishing under the oncoming tide of humans, elves, and dwarves?

>>14627913
Ew indeed. Are half-lizardmen even possible?

>>14627998
Both Dragons and Humans can fuck pretty much anything and get a kid out of it.

>>14627913
I'm not sure they even pay taxes, seeing as though they don't really make a wage, and they just kinda work for us as their primary job.

>>14628141
Some of them do. The majority, I'm given to understand, are just another breed of immigrant. Albeit one that doesn't think they are.

So. State-sponsored druidic circle. We need someone to manage the ecosystem of our island and keep it from getting too fucked up by our excesses; at the same time, it is vitally important that we not create a strong and independent group of magic users. Get some druids, and clearly lay out for them that we're interested in eliminating collateral damage from things that we do, but not interested in actually stopping what we're up to. If they're interested in limiting damage to the natural world and getting respect and power as our minions, they can sign on. Otherwise, no.

As long as we can keep a good hold on them, a group of druids to manage ecological things seems like an excellent group of long-term minions. They should be able to help keep our jungle in a good state, perhaps help the lava flows make more decent island somewhat faster, help with crops or other plant/animal problems in the provinces, and potentially eventually (after we have generations of having druids serve us our way) produce mid/high level druids capable of assisting us in weather control and other large-scale ecological manipulation. The important thing here is just to approach things from the stance of "I am more than willing to do things in an eco-friendly fashion as long as I still do things; you task is not to tell me what to do, but to tell me how you can make it better." They must serve us, and past us our populace.

>>14628305
I suggest we also attempt, over the generations, to make all the apprentices they take be loyal cult members or lizardmen cult members. The lizardmen could probably make powerful druids anyway considering that old druid-shaman they had and stuff.

If we can start with a "subservient" druid circle and then work around to "regular fanatic minions with powerful druid powers" then that would be best.

>>14628305
>>14628337
Alright. Noted. The process of acquiring, hiring, and actually putting it into effect is going to take a while, but it can be done for a reasonable chunk of change. (Which you have quite a bit of of anyway.)

It will, though, take time to establish. What is your objective in the meantime? (BRB, foodz. I'm sure you won't even notice I'm gone.)

Fuck yeah, Dragon Quest.

>>14628395
Do the insect-repelling incense thing as a government monopoly to help offset the cost of the druids.

And in the meantime we check out the cloud fortress? Scrying, personal (stealthy) incursions, whatever it takes. I want a detailed layout of entrances, wards, defenses, and the cloud giants before we begin our journey into it.

Perhaps even request a formal meeting with the cloud giant leader (as a projected image of course, not in person) and ask what's up with him and his people.

>>14628395
Continue to manipulate Cygnis.

Investigate the lorekeeper personally. Ask the crystal a few questions before heading out.

>>14628506
>Continue to manipulate Cygnis.
Why is this even stated at this point? It's an "of course we do that" sort of off-screen thing.

>>14628514
It's important because we want progress. Until we're finished with her, or at least a lot further along, we aren't able to do important stuff in our lair, like consult Watcher or receive guests, because we don't want to increase risk. That's a snazzy lair we have, we totally need to be able to use it.

>>14628605
Progress happens off screen without you constantly stating it, though.

>>14627913
Fostering a positive "national identity" is a worthwhile goal. Native born people of any race will consider themselves "Mzain" more often, so will the parents that raise them here. So, why stop at the lizardmen? We should be providing tax breaks and services to anyone who has children in Mza.

Free primary education could be a good idea, non-compulsory at first. Once the general consensus of the the city is that only irresponsible parents don't have their children schooled, we can make it mandatory. An educated city is a profitable city, and it gives us a great chance to subtly train the populace. Children can be taught important lessons like "don't talk to strangers" and "find a policeman if you see a crime".

Daycare and teaching the children their letters could also help the image of our government overseas too.

>>14628645
Right but we want an update. Its not like it will take us long too do. She's already been through a lot being tortured by the cult and loosing her brother. And we have been using magical aide to speed up the process significantly.

Obviously we can just have Scinarri spend a few hours of alone with her like we can with simple humans but we have had her chained up for some time now.

I'd like to show off and obedient gold dragon to flaunt to other reds and such.

>>14628692
>Children can be taught important lessons like "don't talk to strangers" and "find a policeman if you see a crime".
Or maybe even the much more vital lessons like: "Lord Prestor's power is beyond mortal conception and can never be challenged." and "Lord Prestor is the glue holding Mza together and always does what is best for us."

>>14628703
>Right but we want an update.
No need, there won't be any real progress for DECADES.

>I'd like to show off and obedient gold dragon to flaunt to other reds and such.
Oh shit nigger what are you doing? No. That's stupid. I'm directly counter-voting your entire plan.

>>14628724
Yes, but those need to be subtle lessons. Even if the dumb ones miss out on the point.

It's the smart ones we want to get to while they're impressionable anyway.

>>14628738
You know red dragons love to gloat right? Its in our nature and a matter of pride. Were not open about it yet but eventually we will be when we are more secure.

And who said it would take decades? A cult tortures her a little while and she has nightmares for years. What we have done to her is far worse mentally AND we have been using the magic enchanted on her chains.

>>14628738
Uh, that was half the point of the entire plan. Status symbol. Our hoard is so big it has gold on our gold.

We don't have to, I just thought that was the objective. Seffy would be /so/ jelly, for instance.

Speaking of which, way back when, the chat was discussing gold dragon bone for armor or weapons or shit? I bet Seffy would LOVE something like that.

>>14628703
>show off gold dragon
>make a show of how we have imprisoned, abused, and mentally enslaved one of the goodest, most well-loved creatures of the world

Somehow I don't see this going over very well.

>>14628753
No, I'm pretty sure we want to get them all. Also, indoctrination is a tried-and-true method for virtually every nation, why would we care about being subtle with it?

No, I think it would be best if we outright stated such things in our lessons to the youth. Get them locked into the mode of thought while they are young and it will become self-perpetuating as they begin teaching their children the same way in addition to our programs.

Before long it will only be natural.

>>14628771
only to other like minded evil/red dragons. Its not like were going to show her off to the world so every gold dragon in the continent will want us dead.

Is anyone else just here for the dragon pictures?

>>14628765
Writer-Dude did. Kindly read the threads and, if you are still confused, ask him yourself.

>>14628767
The objective was to have her in our hoard, not to show her off as a slave like some kind of lolevil moron. Don't be retarded. Maybe in a few hundred years, MAYBE.

Even then, it probably would still be silly.

>>14628780
While I enjoy having Cygnis as a part of our treasures as much as the next guy, I have to agree with the people saying it's a bad idea to show her off to other people. She decorates our treasure room already, that's enough.

>>14628814
When I said show off I meant as far as showing off the rest of our hoard. Like if Seffy is over or another red Dragon. If they see we have managed to manipulate a gold dragon they will be less likely to cross us. Like I said its a pride thing

>>14628780
A recurring theme in the quest is that Azaladon does not trust other dragons for shit, especially other evil ones. Inviting them to see our hoard is all kinds of ridiculous.

>>14628847
True, but why make our lair so awesome if we aren't going to use it to intimidate or whatever? I believe dragons have etiquette along the lines of "Don't steal", and we wouldn't be inviting enemies over. The whole world (and dragons) already basically know where we live, and our castle is not hidden.

I happen to think it's worth it for the status, but eh.

>>14628847
Thats what Reds do though. Seffy has at least part of her hoard in her throne room. My hoard is bigger than yours. Im better than you. Dont fuck with me. That the kind of message it sends.

>>14628845
Man, no. It's a bad idea and completely against intelligent decision making. Invite another dragon into our lair to show off? Reveal the most valuable and well-defended place in our entire empire to a rival? What are you smoking? We aren't showing our hoard off to anyone, they will fucking STEAL it. Have you noticed something about every dragon so far? They all had their hoards hidden and didn't go around showing them off, even Seffy.

Don't be foolish.

>>14628877
Also, it's like a peacock's tail. It basically going "I'm awesome! [Fuck/Don't fuck] with me!".

The former option being, of course, for weaker dragons of the desired gender.

>>14628876
>I believe dragons have etiquette along the lines of "Don't steal"
lol wut? Dragons steal each others hoards all the fucking time. Read the draconomicon, that and territory disputes are how the majority of dragons die.

>>14628877
No, she has a massive illusion. This was clearly stated. Duh.

Clearly the /only/ time we will show off our hoard is to a defeated and bound foe, probably one we've just robbed and added their hoard to our own. Then we kill them. Or enslave them, I guess, if we are going that way.

>>14628891
Female reds only mate with powerful males who have large hordes. Its a huge pride to be selected by a female to mate so males never refuse.

>>14628897
Only parts of the hoard were an illusion. This was clearly stated.

>>14628905
This

only some of the gold was

>>14628905
Yeah, ALL THE GOLD was an illusion. The banners and suits of armor she took as trophies were real. And the books. That's it.

>>14628904
So....basically showing her our hoard is analogous to buying her a drink?

>>14628788
Me too. Whole quest, just so I can get other people to find me dragon pictures.

Doesn't work too well, to be honest. Sometimes, though.
########################


The giants of the Ivory Gate, or Lorekeeper's palace, as you suspect it to be, are still on heightened alert from the adventuring party that raided them a time back. They are not, however, sufficiently alert to see you- Between your innate magical talent, the artifacts you possess, and the simple virtue of wings, you are quite capable of spying on them personally.

You are forced to concede, what you find is moderately impressive. Vast, cloudy battlements, walls and roofs of 'solid' cloud, as much as that sounds like an oxymoron. Sometimes thinned to the point of transparency (though not insubstantiality), and a massive section of the fortress has entirely transparent 'roof', allowing you to look down upon dozens of rows of titanic shelves, with a hundred feet between each shelf. A library fit for a dragon... Which makes it all the more infuriating to see most of it empty- The scattered books here or there, a section or two that seem either untouched or still in use, but otherwise empty.

The giants, though, are the main issue at hand. Even those few books merit an investigation, and the giants are the primary obstacle. They are no small one, either- They seem to possess a group (Flight? Flock? Rookery?) of rocs, using them as steeds among the clouds, and seem fairly orderly. At a guess, you'd place their number at a few hundred, but you wouldn't count on it- You're almost certain the cloud-fortress is larger on the inside than the outside.

>>14628845

I thought the goals of chaining her there were:
-for private lulz
-to remove an obstacle in freeport
-to get her horde
-so that we have someone to practice binding on later that nobody would miss.

We're secretive as all get-out, and our horde is for US. Only person we ever bragged to was that bastard gold we killed, and that was more about delicious, delicious sadism than anything else.

"The less they know, the better" has been our watchword for a LONG time, and it has served us well.

>>14628916
yeah basically and owning a nice car

>>14628903
This. Fucking this.

Who the fuck is this samefag suggesting we bring ENEMY DRAGONS into our hoard room, the deepest and most secure part of our entire empire? Cut that shit out, nobody wants to do it but you.

>>14628912
>>14628897
I would assume her /real/ hoard is hidden somewhere else? I'd guess that the biggest risk of being a public dragon is every thief in five thousand miles going "Treasure. That's where to get it."

She was just displaying the things she found more valuable (and probably less likely to be stolen.) and intimidating.

>>14628897
I would /assume/ that if we invite them over, and/or are receiving them formally, they will restrain their larcenous behavior.

Also, can you imagine someone letting it slip that we had Cygnis there? Her friends would come for us, and adventurers might seek to release her INSIDE THE CASTLE.

That would be very bad.

>>14628942
she cant even get to her family it was stated let alone some one else. Besides only scinari and you know what she actually is.

>hoard status being used to judge mates
Yeah, and that might be something we gave two fucks about if we were interested in some greedy lolevil red bitch to have dragonets with. We aren't. Anyone that we would consider taking as a mate has already failed if they require such a gauche visual display to "put out".

Really, this entire argument is getting tiresome. Having anyone but Scinnari, Azyra, or the most utterly loyal and fanatical of our Chosen unbound in our lair is patently stupid and something to avoid at all costs.

>>14628942
yes, we are not up to fighting that ancient sliver dragon she calls uncle.
>>14628929
I thought we were going to brain wash her into a loyal minion of evil for us, sort of like aisha

>>14628941
There is no such thing as a friendly dragon. There are rivals, and property. Everyone is one or the other; even Scinnari and our daughter.

Only property goes into the horde!

>>14628941
>I would /assume/ that if we invite them over, and/or are receiving them formally, they will restrain their larcenous behavior.
You obviously assume wrong. Once again, even metallic dragons will kill other metallics over hoards. Every step of the way they would be thinking about how to stab us in the back and casing our defenses so they could take us out and steal our shit.

>>14629005
While that would be ideal, it's not realistic. We won't be able to actively use her until we learn binding, sadly.

>>14629005
But she's a Dragon, so we leave her chained even if she's brainwashed.

The brainwashing is a hobby, not so we can use her for anything. What could be more delicious than a gold chained to the throne? One that welcomes us home with a smile on her face to go with the chains on her neck.

We're... not very nice.

>>14629011
Scinnari and Azyra aren't dragons. Your point is valid, though.

Then, option as a resolution, here: Perhaps we should create a secondary 'lair'? Like, we have our official lair, and by overwhelming popular vote, that's all ours. Nobody gets in there unless, as stated, property. (and ours)

Let's create a new lair. We don't have to use it, hell, not even frequently, but it:

1) Would misdirects- It's not our real lair, we don't keep our real lair there, etc. However, that will be where people think it really is.

2) Would be a reception place, we can make it look as (or almost-as) awesome as our primary lair. Just by walking into our (second) ouse, people should know exactly where they stand. (the answer is "way, waaaay below [us]")

3) Lair is just another kind of property to add to the hoard. Why the hell not?

4) Could probably use it for a trap or something later, without actually risking our real lair and the contents. Just sayin'.

I'll drop it, though. This has gone on too long.

>>14629005
>I thought we were going to brain wash her into a loyal minion of evil for us, sort of like aisha
This is the plan as I understand it. Have a dragon we can depend on and trust to serve us unquestionably. We dont want to ask seffy to help us any more than we have too as she is our rival.

>>14628788

It slowly expands my collection by one or two new pictures every other week.

>>14628780

The gold dragons, all the metallic dragons, paladins and clerics of good aligned gods, hell every good aligned creature would be busting down the door at this point. We like to direct other peoples attention outward towards other things so they beat each other down, not gang up on us.

>>14628877

True, but we have yet to give a fuck about our appearances to other dragons for the most part. Hell we don't even want them to know we exist.

Thankfully most of the posters in the thread agree with me on keeping her locked down in the hoard.

>>14628922
If we need to fight we can bear in mind they are just Rocs... a few domination and charm spells (2 int, beastial creature, saves wouldn't even apply really) and suddenly we have our own flock of Rocs.

I re-suggest visiting personally in the form of a projected image from our lair, stating that we desire entrance.

>>14629099
>Hell we don't even want them to know we exist.
Ha so much for that. Remember the part where the blue dragons know who we are. Lets just hope it serves their purposes not reveal who we are and we can actually trust them to keep their end of the bargain. (which we can because they are a dragon)
And lets hope it suites Seffy to do the same.

the way I see it were pretty screwed and should put plans in place as such.

>>14629055
Decoy lair (obvious rigged to look like a mortal human's palace, not a dragon's lair)?
Seems to be a reasonable option. Dick ass thieves break in, say "Aww yeah 1000 gold" and piss off, completely avoiding the 100,000 gold that's elsewhere.

>>14629055
I meant "Everyone" as an all encompassing statement. Everything from kobolds to gods. If anything is not ours, we need to look at it and think "how can I use this being to protect or enhance my powerbase and horde".

In the case of dragons, the answer is almost always "keep them ignorant and far away".

>>14629148
... Don't we already have a castle?

>>14629148
Obviously all the phat loot in the decoy lair should be Magic™'d to spam "Hello! I am loot! I AM BROADCASTING MY LOCATION TO ALL PERSONS WITHIN 100 KILOMETERS." so that thieves of our fake treasure can be burninated.
Come to think of it, enchant our real treasure similarly.

>>14628922

You want Pics, some of us have plenty of "pics". You want links to sites with more pictures that are easily sorted, enjoy sorting through all the furry and scaly pics. Its probably much saner just to type in Dragon at DA and just sort through all the shitty drawings there.

>>14629110

Giants are bit more of a problem than we want to deal with as you stated. if we take the violent option there, we'll have to kill everyone just to not be interfered with. The roc idea is pretty good, but we'll save that in case of emergency. I think it might be best to grab a bit more intel on their organization before proceeding with diplomacy. Figuring out hierarchy or leadership be a nice start, along with any magic zones in place that prevent teleportation. Maybe scry the inside and find areas we can't access that way?

>>14629178
Oh, right. We built a decoy lair without even knowing it was a decoy lair.
Go us!
Still suggest having valuable items warded with "Here I am" magi-broadcasters as a precaution against dick-ass thieves.

>>14629178
Ignore him, he's a troll. Hell, look at his trip.

And yes, we already have a "decoy lair" in the form of our castle. This entire debate has been resolved by re-suggesting something we already have. Sigh.

Anyway, the overall verdict is we aren't letting anyone see our hoard anyway so it doesn't matter. How about them cloud giants? We could probably use some sort of gravity manipulation spell to pull the rocs down then strafe the compound with firebreath if it came to that.

>>14629202
Being able to Charm the rocs should work. We might be able to have the Cloud giants dumped off the side of their cloud fortress, but I thought cloud giants could fly.

>>14629192
Not as a decoy, as a legit secondary lair- Just one we can admit to having. We aren't going to be letting humans in on this. It'd just be for dealing with dragons.

but I said I'd drop it.

>>14629233
Levitate. Though Charming/Dominating (the) rocs is a nice idea anyways, we might be able to create an airforce...

From the SRD:
>>Usually neutral good or neutral evil
>>Cloud giants’ skin ranges in color from milky white to light sky blue. Their hair is silvery white or brass, and their eyes are iridescent blue. Adult males are about 18 feet tall and weigh about 5,000 pounds. Females are slightly shorter and lighter. Cloud giants can live to be 400 years old.
>>Spell-Like Abilities: 3/day—levitate

I think we finally hit the smashing through problems limit we've been working our way through. In consideration we'll be getting in wrestling matches with them due to them being our size.

>>14629261
Drop it like a Cloud Giant.

Yes, you did. How about you do so?

>>14629294
I think the problem could be solved by flying out of their reach and burning them. We're also a pretty damn good caster at this point.

>>14629337

>>"Hey Joe! Seems like one hell of a firestorm we got going on outside"
>> "Yeah those damn dragons are getting uppity again."
>>"Looks like it times to head back inside. Time to get caught on all my reading I've been ignoring at my gigantic library."

>>14629337
Yeah, they are just beasts too. Our breath weapon while we are under the effects of improved invisibility is all we'll need even if we can't dominate them all. Still, talk first.

>>14629799
Come on, WD. Nearly 2 hours.

If you're still writing, work in a quick flame run of the fortress to check the defences, then sit back and watch them scrabble?

>>14629864
No, we shouldn't do something that hostile yet, not without more investigation.

Maybe his connection is borked? Wouldn't be the first time a quest stopped due to technical difficulties.

>>14629864
I realize you're waiting. Suffering minor tool fault. Attempting to fix. Please stand by.

>>14629902

Suffer not the tool to live.

>>14629994
>tool is broken
>kill tool
>tool is no longer broken

Sound reasoning. Write up the plans immediately!

“Giant. Cloud Giant. I desire to converse with your leader. Can you take me to him?” you speak. Your voice rings loudly in the air you do not occupy, and the giant spins, reaching for his sword. Relatively fast, for such a large creature. When he sees you standing motionless, and slightly transparent, he relaxes significantly.

“That can be arranged, little one.” he replies, looking down on you. “Who are you, and why do you wish to speak with him?”

“I am seeking information... On the previous occupants of this... location.” you answer, gesturing expansively at the gargantuan 'structure' who's battlement's you are upon. “Who I am isn't terribly important. An academic, not an adventurer. My apologies, but I simply did not see an... entrance.”

“We have had problems of that sort of the years. I'll call someone.” the guard answers, and shouts. While he's distracted, and covered by the thunder of his voice, you cast a small spell to appraise the giant's alignment. He glows a very faint red in your vision, and you decide he's at least passably evil. Certainly not terribly good.

A second giant comes up, and greets you with a small bow when the situation is explained and he has examined you. You return it politely, and are forced to teleport in yourself- You cannot project any farther within the city. Despite looking slightly less transparent than you did a moment ago, your guide does not appear to notice.

What follows is several miles of walking, punctuated by levitation up stair wells or climbing stairs quite obviously made for a dragon's stride. Or at least, it would be, if you didn't quickly come to an accurate conclusion about what you are about to face, and simply cast a minor (if long-lasting) flight spell on yourself. The giant notes this, but does not comment, and leads you into the enormous fortress. After a few minutes of travel, you eventually reach a gate, which is opened a few minutes after your guide announces your presence. “Checking with the chief.” your guide explains. You are, however, escorted through eventually, noting the armed guards about you.

“Lady Prosietha” is introduced to you, a cloud giantess with even more in the way of finery than any other you've seen so far. Across form her a male giant dressed almost as extravagantly. Presumably her consort or husband, though you wouldn't know how cloud giants arrange things. Whatever their method, it can't be as good as yours.

“Greetings... 'Academic'.” she speaks as you are presented, not getting up from the rather large couch she lays upon. “You are more polite than most guests we receive. May I assume, then, that your intentions are peaceful?”

“Information is all I seek.” you answer. “And while I fancy myself something of a mage, I have a hard time believing that there is anything I could do against so... formidable a people.”

“Delightful. In that case, welcome to the halls of Ossagan, city of the cloud giants. I am informed that you are here for information?”

##################
This will hopefully tide you over until I can get my machinery fixed. And shame on you, >>14629994 . I need to get out the incense and prayer-wheels, not blame my poor machine spirit.

>>14630020
brb reciting litanies

>>14630020
That we are, chum! How do you get yuour whites so bright and white? Also please explain why you're all living in a dragon fortress kthx and if you ate the previous occupant and oh can we have a look around in their lair, thanks, before we murder you all for treasure?

>>14630020
"I have come in search of a library I have heard was within these walls, and legend tells it is quite expansive indeed. Sadly, from what the guard I first met said can I assume that not all of the texts remain within it? I would like to look anyway, of course, but if some have been sold or taken before your people set up residence then I would be greatly saddened."

>“Information is all I seek.”

>"I am informed that you are here for information?"

Clearly not the brightest bulbs among giants, these...

>>14630141
Blatant typo noticed. Thank you. I'm going to go hide under a rock now.

>>14630160
Be sure to bring your PC with you so you can still post.

>>14630160
>>14630160
Try this one. Should fit Az, too.

I really don't want to do this but my inner grammar nazi will not be quelled...
>“I am seeking information... On the previous occupants of this... location.” you answer, gesturing expansively at the gargantuan 'structure' who's battlement's you are upon. “Who I am isn't terribly important. An academic, not an adventurer. My apologies, but I simply did not see an... entrance.”
>who's
I humbly suggest that you meant whose

>>14630213
You object to that and not the plethora of ellipses... that are... everywhere?

>>14630256
ellipses never bothers me in narrative texts
especially not within the dialogue

mine is a rather liberal nazi

>>14630256
I have noticed WD doing that more and more lately. I tend to do it too frequently in my own writing though, so I don't really feel like complaining.

>>14630051

You're an idiot. Lets go back and grab our lizardmen subordinates so we can storm the place. I'll be right behind trying not to get stuck in the footprints of blood.

>>14630079

I like this. I'd go straight for the punch asking about the library and it's former famous keeper. If we focus more on the library and by association the person who started it, it will look better than just asking about about lorekeeper.

>>CONTROL rodscuse

Oh captcha, you know all my plans.

>>14630020
A Gold dragon called the Lorekeeper once lived here - a POWERFUL one - and a slave to a god called the Binder. I need to learn more about what the Binder -is-, and I figured a servant of him (her?) named 'Lorekeeper' is a good lead to follow.

>>14630476
Hell no, we don't reveal anything like that. They sure don't need to know.

>>14630543
Assuming they don't already know, in which case they don't need to know that we know.
(inb4 "I know that you know that I know that you know that I know...")

We tell them that we're interested in researching the origins of this place and its founder. Nothing more. Avoid answering "Why" unless they first bring up the topic of the binder.

“I have come in hopes of viewing what were... according to legend, the largest libraries in the world. Sadly, from what I have been told so far, it may have shrunk some, since such tales were told.”

“That would be correct.” she replies, and your face falls as you hear her confirm your fears. “Several... well, dozens of tomes, tablets, scrolls... various items of record remain. However, were you to actually see it... I suspect you would be disappointed.” Her eyes are calculating, and the threat of phrasing is not lost on you.

“Indeed.” you reply, allowing your face to fall. “That hardly sounds like the library of legend I pursue... Still, it seems a shame to journey so far and not at least search it. May I have your permission to do so?”

“I see no reason to deny it to you, provided you can compensate us. Your 'legendary libraries' draw too much attention to this place... if you return to whence you came from, I hope you will explain quite how exaggerated those claims are.” the queen answers. “But as for compensation...”

“What do you desire?” you ask, thinking it best to let her name the price, rather than risk insulting her.

“Ten thousand gold.” she replies after a few moments. “And I was not exaggerating when I told you how much it has shrunk over the centuries.”

“Two thousand.” you reply quickly. “So it is as old as legend holds?”

“My price is non-negotiable.” the giant states. “And yes. Older than you, or any of your race can possibly imagine.” she says haughtily. “Positively unique. /Priceless./”

“I see.” you answer unhappily. “I am... forced to accept. Very well.” You actually did come prepared. You pull from your belt a pouch, and expand it to a reasonable size. The contents are precisely correct, actually- Exactly as much as you were willing to spend on this venture. You suspect the lady Prosietha to be... over-pricing her resources. “Where do you wish it deposited?”

“The bag is sufficient.” she replies with a shark-like smile. You meet her gaze with an unamused stare of your own.

“I must disagree,” you reply, “and insist on keeping my container. Unless you desire it dumped upon your floor, though, I would advise you to provide me a container of your own. I can't imagine a library as... diminished as you describe being worth any more” For a moment, you worry you may have pushed her a little too far, but she does relent in the end.

“I did say ten thousand, and I do concede it has shrunk enormously, even before our time.” She gestures at one of her guards, who disappears and provides you with a container. Actually, a spare helmet, by the look of it. You decline to comment, and begin pouring. The queen inspects the ending amount, but does not speak to you.

“Very well. Allow him in.” she orders, and your previous guide steps back up.

“Of course, Lady.” he answers with a bow. He turns to lead you away, and with the horrible taste of so much lost gold in your mouth, you turn to follow.”

################

The gargantuan aisles stretch out thousands of feet as you are shown to the door of the library.

“I hope you can find your way out.” your guide offers, then adds unnecessarily, “It's huge.”.

“Somehow, I believe I will manage.” you answer, turning your back on the titanic portal and setting off through the enormous halls. Half an hour of flight is all you require to determine that the place is even more gutted than it appeared at first- bookshelves hundreds of feet high, room for tablets, tomes and scrolls in larger amounts than you would have believed ever existed... Empty, as far as the eye can see. Magic is mandatory for you, attempting to navigate the halls made for, by all appearances, an ancient wyrm, and even it can only speed up your search so much. Despite this, it does not take as long as you feared it might from above- It's simply empty, for the most part. A scattered tome here and there, a few dozen tablets in an ancient language, a couple fractured stones in draconic, and several scrolls tubes, long empty of all but the last scroll.

You do, however, find one item others seem to have missed- On the second shelf, nearly on ground level, you find an ancient-looking book mixed among a few broken tablets. Written in what at first appears to be a different language, you manage to identify as merely incredibly messy handwriting. The journal of an adventuring wizard, you conclude, one Balthazar Gozzariah. It covers, in varying details, his band of wandering murderers, and their quest for this library. Of particular note;

>>14630698
Pay the woman. We'll get it back when we sack the place anyway and eat all the Avariel. Fucking hoity toity elves. Maybe make some magical copies, if we can think of a spell to do it. Pity we didn't bring Binder.

Okay, we need to start browsing. Do we have any spells or similar that we can use to quickly track down what we're seeking?

“We have done it. The fabled libraries of the Lorekeeper- Ours. Of course, that means very little- We can hardly harvest anything but the bottom shelves without my magic, and Lorekeeper's spirit still haunts this place. Not as strong as I had feared, either. I may be able to deal with her permanently.”

“Some of her guardians are a more lethal than we originally thought. Trying to corner her spirit, so that I can dispose of it- (The protection I mentioned previously worked like, well, like a charm.) and a mithril golem answered her call. Gyre was did not survive, and I'm not convinced that there's enough left to get raised. They hit like a mountain. Have succeeded, though- Western portion sealed off from her, in addition to the south. Working on reducing it. The less she has to run, the easier it will be to trap her spirit.”

>>14630713
Ten THOUSAND gold for an empty library? I sure as fuck hope we have it spelled so that we can recall it all remotely. It's not like we are in our normal form or anything, we just picked some random form. We said we would pay them, we never said it would stay there.

>>14630713
And, though you saw this coming for six pages,

“I have confirmed that our wayward spirit is not, in fact, Lorekeeper. One of her children, I think- Which would explain why we're alive, or had a chance at all against her. it makes sense really. A shame that I don't know her name- Would give me something to call my creation. My creation! A pale imitation of the Binder's fabled work, to be sure, but quite functional, it's way! The golden dragon-head amulet Maln had proved... insufficiently large, for trapping the spirit. Rather than lose the knowledge (and risk loosing what we came for ourselves) I was forced to strip out the personality, the ego, of the spirit. Almost mindless, really, but if you can ask the right question it can answer, and I don't believe it's capable of deception, either. “

Included is a bafflingly obtuse shorthand for the series of arcane formulas underlying the device, not helped by barely-legible script. It does, however, make sense once figured out, but... You can't /imagine/ how the author settled upon this as a good idea. More importantly, a sketched symbol of the golden amulet, one you recognize as adorning Lady Prosietha's elaborate toga. Being used as a cinch, if you recall correctly. Damnation.

I wonder if we can ask the giants about the Gold dragon that used to live here.
Well, search the books. Perhaps we can find the answer by reading, rather than by talking to the NPCs that seem content to stay in their cloud city.

>>14630757
An entire room full of cloud giants is probably beyond our barbecque strategy. We should attempt to make copies of everything through magic, teleport them back to our castle. Then ask the good woman if she would be so kind as to sell her Cinch, offering her a vastly more useful magical treasure in return. Say, a giant sized robe that can change colour and style. Shouldn't be much work, after all.

Failing that, levitate up to her face, change back, bite her face off, take the amulet and run like hell.

See if we can find any other information around besides this wizardly book. Even hunt down the books they took and see if we can find out where they are now.

Adding a library like this to our hoard would be... well, it'd be awesome.

> one you recognize as adorning Lady Prosietha's elaborate toga. Being used as a cinch, if you recall correctly.
... The intended solution is for us to seduce the Cloud Giant, isn't it? My god.
What other sources of info on Lorekeeper are around here?

>>14630757
Wonderful.

Assess situation, can we have beings teleport in? Can we perhaps dispel the enchantment on the floors to reduce the number of guards that will doubtless be present? Sure they can levitate, but if you dispel it and have them drop while shocked and it re-solidifies around them (or over them) then it's just as good.

Next, check the durability of the cloud-fortress. Can we gouge out parts of it? Can we break through the translucent cloud ceiling of the library?

Next, guards and defenses, how many and where on the way in? Also any dormant defenses we might have found, and ideally let's cast a minor locate object spell to find these mithril golems. If we can activate them then they'll kill the shit out of the cloud giants and we can snatch the amulet and our gold back, plus whatever riches they have as well.

>>14630857
>>14630857
Oooh! Or replicate the amulet back in our workshop, layer it with magic - or just a shielding enchantment that is keyed to dissolve if we want it to - and offer to trade, claiming it has a 'useful magical resonance'.

>>14630857
Fuck no, we're not spending even MORE money here. Hell, I'm not comfortable with leaving ten thousand gold here for them. Let's see if we can activate the old defenses in this place and use them against the giants.

>>14630877
. . . Oh, the things we do in the pursuit of knowledge.
+lecherous leer+

>>14630885
I ask all this because it directly effects our plan.

For instance: If we can break through the cloud ceiling and leave a dragon-sized hole for later then we can turn invisible and come back at night with a bunch of our mooks. Sneak through the halls and raid the treasury, assassinate the giant queen and steal her amulet, things like that.

But first we have to know about the palace and such.

>>14630915
At a guess, they've been cleaned out. I'd be all for it, though, if we could.

>>14630877
No. WD should have learned by now that Azaladon is like Tesla. Genius and without (serious) sex drive.

>>14630888
That could be staisfactory. I'm for it if we can.

Convincing her to part with hers, though... Does the journal end in blood-and-or "Shit! Captured!"? I wouldn't be surprised.

I don't think fighting Cloud Giants is a good idea, as they are very powerful creatures, even for our resources.

We can keep reading, try activating traps, ask the giants directly about lorekeeper, try to buy the spirit amulet, or obtain it through trade or thievery. Maybe we can sack the place later, but right now, there's at least 20 f*cking cloud giants and they might even have PC levels.

>Genius and without (serious) sex drive.
Azyra disagrees. And for that matter, so does her mother.

But how do you ... What's the +DC modifier for the circumstance check of trying to seduce something 2 size categories larger than yourself?

>>14630984
'I'm ribbed.'

>>14630984
>>14630956
By the way WD, I'll put in a standing vote to not do whatever Ken says. He hasn't come up with a good plan yet and is most likely just a troll, so yeah.

Search for the golems, see if we can activate them in such a way that they don't attack us. Test to see if we can communicate with Scinnari or she can teleport in to us.

>>14630915
So spending cash on a much cheaper amount of fabric for a magic robe is out of the question, but making a giant magical dragon head amulet out of gold is fine?

>>14631025
Uh, no? Neither of them is fine.

>By the way WD, I'll put in a standing vote to not do whatever Ken says.
I believe we should do whatever this poster says. :P

>>14630885
The solid clouds, the material the fortress is constructed from is rather baffling. Like sand, you think- Hard if hit, but softer if pressed, and able to give a few inches, if you linker in the same spot. It is soft enough that you can scrape some of the cloud-stuff out- But it disperses like normal vapor as it leaves the floor, and the floor regenerates over a few seconds, leaving it unmarked below you.

Defenses... You recall man things that could have been defenses (and, in all probability, probably were,) and a few of the more vicious ones were actually recorded in the journal, with accompanying sketches. They look positively lethal... You're almost envious. The ones you passed, however, seemed deactivated, or destroyed. Giants seemed utterly unconcerned with the traps, though that could just be ignorance.

The Mithril golem, though... Attempting to find it, you search the libraries, focusing your mind on it's presence, turning it in your thoughts. You do feel it, you think... Somewhere below you, but mostly... Yes. You set off after it, and manage to locate it after a few hundred feet. A broken head, shoved into the corner of a shelf, and half-sealed within a cloudbank. Snapped off at the neck, as if through sheer force, or hewed with an incredibly sharp blade.

>>14631133
I'm sorry, did we just find a gigantic block of mithril?

Dragon instinct activate! DELICIOUS PRECIOUS METALS WE MUST HAVE

>>14631133
Well, so much for the combat route.
What now?
I think we should simply talk to the Giants and ask them where we might find more information on Lorekeeper or the Binder, but ... well, /tg/ dislikes that option.

>>14631184
....Doesit still work?

>>14631133
Well, I assume it's fucked or you would have told us we could reactivate it. Shove the head into our bag, it's a chunk of mithril after all. Continue to find defenses. Stuff all tomes and shit into our bags.

After we've cleaned out everything we can we should activate all the defenses we can and perform our suicide run on the cloud giant queen, because apparently that's the only thing we can do if we don't want the entire session to be a wash.

I just hope it actually knows something rather than what I fear, which is "Lol nope it can only give you sparse information that's not very useful."

I bet giants don't breed very quickly.

And two hundred, while dangerous, could be picked off in ones and twos. Five a day, and they won't know what hit them.

I'm just saying, this is a pretty bitchin' palace, and I wouldn't call it a wash if we can get it ourselves...

>we can and perform our suicide run on the cloud giant queen
For the love of christ, at least TRY talking the information out of the giant first. I agree with stealing whatever mithril we can carry, though.

>>14631250
Eh, I like our lair better. Volcano > clouds, especially for a red. Also it's constantly being intruded on by adventurers.

>>14631286
Could work as a backup lair that someone was talking about earlier. hell, I mean, I'm kind of tempted to see if we can take over the avariel cities on either side of this gate and start taxing thes hit out of this, to supplement our already awesome income.

>>14631301
Backup lair? Nonono. This is Air Force Base #1.

>>14631255
Nah, no matter what she knows she's already proven too greedy to bargain with. If we can't find out stuff about the Binder we're dead anyway, might as well be at the hands of cloud giants rather than unmade forever. It's not like we can find anything else, all (however long we have been investigating) years has told us is that we're SoL. Like >>14631221 said I'm also just assuming this will be another trollface ending too. Might as well go out with a bang.

>>14631321
Exactly. Plus it always warms my heart to see elves enslaved and/or oppressed. Uppity arrogant twits.

>>14631327
I feel you bro, but WD wouldn't do that (again...) for the simple reason that if he keeps this up we're all going to start feeling like just killing ourselves to get it over with. Pep up, let's try to find a control room for defenses or something.

>>14631321
Taking this place over at all is beyond our means at the moment. We can do that later after we have an airforce to speak of and need a base in this part of the world.

>>14631327
Well we could at least TRY seducing her. :P

>>14631197
>>14631221
You know, I actually forgot to mention that, I am sorry. And yes, I realize that it is a fairly important tidbit to leave out.

#######################

Turning the malformed chunk of mithril over in your hands, you marvel at how light it is. At least a cubic foot of metal, yet not particularly heavy. Exquisite. As you pick it over, you are amazed to see one of the lenses that seem to represent it's eyes twitch. Leaning closer, you detect that... yes. It is still magically charged... You almost didn't notice it in the general haze of magic permeating the cloud-structure. In fact...

“Golem, what is your functionality?” you demand in draconic, trying to send your thoughts at it in addition to your words.

“This artifice is designed to take care of the mistresses' lair.” the mithril head answers, despite not having a moveable jaw. “It is currently damaged. All mobility lost. All manipulators lost. No sensory damage. All self-repair lost. Capabilities impaired. Power reduced.” The list is voiced in a uniformly woebegone. Despite the emotional inflection, you do not believe you detect any actual emotion. Just a well-programmed construct.

“Is there a control room or location in this structure?” you demand. Mentally first, then aloud when it does not respond.

“No.”

“Is there a way to order the defenses online?”

“Yes.”

“State the manner in which this can be done.”

“This artifice is capable of manipulating the passive enchantments controlling the palace.” the head replies, warming your heart. Of all the things to hear right now...

Why not take it, but fill it with some sort of magical aberration that breeds quickly, feeds off ambient magic and enchanted items and elves and can't survive outside of cloud banks? Oh, and then we just put a pile of illusory gold and spread rumors of the gold and the presence of an ancient horde inside. Put little illusions elsewhere in the place, too.

And maybe send a few of those abominations to the Avariel. You know, good neighbourly presents.

>>14631439
If you can find one then feel free to link us to it. Because I don't think such a specialized thing exists.

Also if they eat magic why would the illusory pile of gold still remain? Wouldn't they eat it?

>>14631439
Do not introduce a Bigger fish to eat a Smaller one.

>>14631436
Honestly I think we should try Talking to the f*cking giants about Lorekeeper / Binder (and where to get more info on both) before we declare war on them.
Your call, /tg/.

I wonder what the giants would think if they knew our true form?

>>14631413
In this part of the world? It's a sky fortress. We can probably move it around. That'll make all our expansions into those annoying little kingdoms go a lot more smoothly.

>It's a sky fortress. We can probably move it around.
You should determine whether that is the case before you start moving in.

>>14631439
Make it! And because fuck you, that's why it'll stay there.

>>14631436
Get it to mark us friendly to the defenses, if we can. That is very important.

>>14631479
>>14631436

...
I think we just found the fantasy equivalent of an Imperial Star Destroyer. Mah Gawd.

>>14631436
"Golem, I serve the mistress and have come to collect the last of her possessions. There are currently a large number of intruders within the structure and in possession of artifacts that belong to her. I require you to assist in destroying the interlopers and retrieving the artifacts. Will you assist in recovering them?"

>>14631461
That depends on how tasty the bigger fish is, and how tasty the smaller fish is.

>>14631489
Why? If we can, great, movable base. If we can't, we can still use it to take control of the trade route and have even more delicious wealth income.

>>14631521
I don't know about saying we SERVE the mistress, but we should most assuredly tell it we are here to help gather and safeguard the treasures and crap. Make sure it marks us as a friendly.

Tell it not to destroy the amulet the head giantess is wearing, though, it's a valuable possession of the mistress.

>>14631562
>>14631521
>>14631503
Honestly, if it is responding to us at all we are probably marked as friendly already. It wouldn't otherwise, it's just a golem.

Order it to either fill all corridors with solid air, either suffocating or starving the giants, or to drop the floor out, and then solidify it again, so they can't get back in when they levitate. (I'd prefer the latter.)

All except bitchy McQueen. She gets special treatment. Possibly burning. We'll see.

Ask where the rest of it is! Even wrecked it's worth a MINT.

>>14631599
I would prefer if we could suffocate them all by filling every room except the one we are in with solid cloudstuff for a few hours. Leaves all the valuable treasure intact.

Oh, and ask it if we put the head back on it can repair itself. If so, well, do it. After we have made sure it views us as a friendly of course. Though, I would think the fact we reassembled it would have it flag us as such.

“Can you designate me as friendly to the castle defenses? Non-hostile.” you correct.

“This artifice can when in contact with with the palace.” it answers. It makes sense- that would be why it was left partially buried as it was. You scrape out some of the couldstuff and place the head within it.

“Designate me as friendly to the castle defenses.” you order.

“Done.” it answers instantly. You ponder your next command.

“List defensive capabilities.”

“Concealment of library. Dissolution of palace. Flushing palace. Sealing palace. Defensive traps. Defensive golems. Detection and monitoring of intruders.” it begins, voice sounding as if it is embarking on a long list.

“List intruders.”

“Two hundred thirty one.” it answers promptly. “Cloud giants. Guest Wing. Battlements. Servant's quarter. Hallways. Inner sanctu-”

“Seal every room of the palace except this.”

“Done.”

“Detail the 'Flush' you referred to.”

“Solidification of air within detailed chambers with intent to suffocate.” it answers.

“Do so for every chamber but this chabmer.” you reply, savoring the words. Almost nervous... Anticipation... It does not reply, though. “Golem. Report.”

“The previously ordered action is in progress.” it replies. “Some chambers are large enough that they are not yet filled.”

“I see. Golem. Your body, does it remain within the palace?” you ask, choosing something else to occupy your thoughts. In this case, the pursuit of several thousand gold worth of mithril.

“No. This artifice's body was destroyed by adventurers four thousand two hundred fifty eight years, one hundred twenty one days ago.” it answers. “The individuals responsible for it's destruction took the sundered body.”

Hmm, may be worth investing to get it a new body...

Inquire as to the current whereabouts of the Mistress and/or her offspring, and if it can summon her/them to this chamber.

>>14631757
Tell it to drop the anti-teleportation wards on the library and get Scinnari in here. We're going to need some help investigating a structure this size, and her teleportation will come in handy. We will also need to order every capable sorcerer in our cult to teleport Chosen in here to aid in the search. Before doing so, however, have the golem clear it's list of designated friendlies other than us, then have them all designated as friendly.

>>14631802
Oh, and as soon as the group is assembled we put the wards back up of course. Don't want any visitors.

While the search is going on we keep the palace completely sealed off from the outside, but open up all the interior doorways and rooms.

“Where is the mistress?” you ask, suddenly overcome with a bout of paranoia. For such an obviously magical structure and edifice to remain, so long....

“Deceased.” it says, again sadly. Forlorn, though, this time. You are mildly impressed with the range of emotion it can offer.

“Clear listings of all friendlies, except for me.”

“Acknowledged.” it answers.

“Done?” you ask.

“Done.” it verifies. Good.

“Drop teleportation and scrying wards.” you order. “Reinstate them at my command. Say when you have done so.”

“Acknowledged. Done.” it answers. You immediately cast out to contact Scinnari across the intervening leagues.

“Scinnari. Assmeble all casters you have, teleport to me. I'm in the library of the palace.” you start, following with a small flood of lesser instructions and additions.

##############

[Alright, I'm sorry this has been so slow. Try and be faster next week. Please: Post questions. That you will ask Watcher, the amulet you're going to find, or the golemhead. If I'm going to give you HONEST, TRUE, and COMPLETE answers, I may need time to think them up.

Speaking of which, next time, on Dragon Quest, HONEST, TRUE, and COMPLETE answers! Or at least I'll try. Also, whatever you want to do with the palace, too.]

What does the Binder want?
What does the Binder want in regards to us?
How does the Binder plan for what she wants to happen to happen?
Is there a possibility the Binder could actually come back?
Are we in a position to stop that from happening without sacrificing ourselves?
What would happen to us should the Binder return?
How many of the bound still exist?
Where are they and how can we contact them?
Would the spindle-bound betray us if we gave it a body as requested?
Could the spindle-bound potentially be another waifu in the long list of potential waifus (waifu quest: dragon edition)?

>>14631885
Let me make that an even dozen:

By what method did the Binder create us?
Who/what were we - if anyone - before that happened?

How can we perform the Binding ritual?
How much does it cost?
What are it's parameters and limitations?
Who defeated the Binder?
How thoroughly was she defeated?
How many bound were there, and did the costs to make them differ?
How large was the Binder's Empire?
What happened to Lorekeeper?

1) See if we can move the palace. If possible start it on a slow orbit around Mza just out of humanoid visual range. I want it both constantly moving and armed with a small garrison of Chosen at all times, switched out on regular shifts and overseen by one of our death-cultists.

2) Check the wards to ensure they are all still intact. If not, begin repairs. Same with all the defenses, if there were any cloud giants outside we should kill them with the defenses too, don't want them tracking us down.

3) See if we can go about setting ourselves as the new "Master" of this place, recognized by the golem. Obtain a complete listing of the defenses and attempt to incorporate the best of them into our own lair. If we can't be recognized by the golem see if we can set up an alternate magical control device that does recognize us as master. Also attempt to find out why the golem responds to orders given to it. Busted? If so, ask it what functionalities are impaired.

4) Secure all valuables in the library as well as all remaining lore, literature, ect. Inspect it all personally, transfer all lore to our own library and valuables to our hoard. Need a complete list of what we loot, by the way.

5) Assess the viability of mounting a doom laser (or equivalent) on the structure.

6) Check and see if there were any tracking enchantments on the missing tomes. I want to re-collect as much of this stuff as possible. Also check for hidden stashes within the palace.

7) Check for any 'presents' left behind by visitors through the centuries. I don't want any sort of non-understood enchantments or traps left inside.

8) Questions: We will ask all of these of all three items. We will ask the Watcher first, just in case it can read our mind through the Mind Blank. Then ask the Golem. Finally ask the Amulet. Do not ask the Watcher the questions about the Binder or our condition, in case it is able to convey information to her.

Give a detailed description of what happened to:

1: The Binder
2: Her empire
3: Each of the Bound
4: Any non-bound servants that might still be under her control presently

This includes how the Binder came to power, formed her empire, was defeated, and was imprisoned. This includes relevant information on the lives, personalities, histories, and deaths or current status of the Bound or any other servants she might have had or still hae in the world today.


Give a detailed description of:

1: The state the binder is in at the present time
2: How she came to be that way
3: The nature of her prison
4: How she is able to communicate with others
5: How she is able to view this world
6: If she is able to read our thoughts or see through our eyes
7: The binding ritual
8: How many bound there were
9: How many bound are still alive
10: The Watcher's abilities, purpose, and probable knowledge (in case it is not counted as a Bound anymore)


Detail to us methods in which we may:

1: Personally research that which has been done to us by the Binder
2: Render the Binder completely incapable of unmaking us while still retaining both our life and the benefits of our state
3: Perform the binding ritual ourselves
4: Shield ourselves from the Watcher
5: Shield ourselves from the Binder


Provide the locations of:

1: The Binder
2: The Bound that remain
3: The resources required in the binding ritual
4: Any easily accessed (by a red dragon of 100 years of age, without injury) valuables
5: Any other highly valuable items that will possibly still be unlooted
6: Any stashes of arcane knowledge or ways to obtain such

Lorekeeper's child was a powerful gold dragon too, so we should ask it to give a brief description of all secret or hard-to-find knowledge it knows. Perhaps make up a magical stylus and lots of paper and ink linked to it that it can use to transcribe these things to paper so we don't have to listen to all of it.

But also pump it for the locations and methods to find texts and things that will be more detailed. I want to know exactly what we are dealing with with regards to the enchantment on us.

>>14632227
Errr, not enchantment but how we were made. The binder unmaking thing. You know what I mean.

>>14632124
>4) Secure all valuables in the library as well as all remaining lore, literature, ect. Inspect it all personally, transfer all lore to our own library and valuables to our hoard. Need a complete list of what we loot, by the way.

Attention! I phrased this badly, what I meant was:

4) Secure all valuables from throughout the palace and transport them to the library, do the same for all remaining lore, literature, ect. both within the library and elsewhere. Inspect it all personally, transfer all lore to our own library and valuables to our hoard. Need a complete list of what we loot, by the way.

Tempted to restore the personality of the spirit. we can already get all of the spirit's information but it would be interesting to have an actual conversation.

>>14632299
Can we, though? If it's been lost, we don't have a lot to work off. Plus, we'd need to transfer it to a better storage device.

Plus, the last thing we need is another Watcher-type artefact.

>>14632299
No. NO.

Fuck no.

We do not want to deal with that shit.

>>14632345
>>14632299
>>14632361
No fear, it's dead. (Or at least, brain-dead.)

1. >What does the Binder want?
1. To return to this world. To retake her mantle as the Arcane Empress, foremost queen of the world.
2. >What does the Binder want in regards to us?
1. For you to release her.
3. >How does the Binder plan for what she wants to happen to happen?
1. Uh... What? She can view things on the prime plane. She can contact servants or be contacted by some, allowing
4. >Is there a possibility the Binder could actually come back?
1. Almost certainly.
5. >Are we in a position to stop that from happening without sacrificing ourselves?
1. Possibly. They can't foresee the future. Almost certainly.
6. >What would happen to us should the Binder return?
1. Would be the Binder's second, and would 'count as' her for the purpose of commanding Bound, doin' shit, etc.
7. >How many of the bound still exist?
1. Unknown. Dead One was destroyed. It is possible Soulless can't be destroyed. Lorekeeper is dead. Watcher is.... Well. Warbringer is deceased. Many-Bound is alive, but would die, if he was allowed to. (Time would catch up.) Plotweaver is believed deceased. Azure is deceased.[You're asking me to quantify the Bound, so this is subject to change between now and next time.]
8. >Where are they and how can we contact them?
1. Most of them are deceased. Soulless is in the north, somewhere. Twice-Bound you know. Watcher you know.
9. >Would the spindle-bound betray us if we gave it a body as requested?
1. Define betray. Probably, if she could. She fear neither death nor boredom.
10. >Could the spindle-bound potentially be another waifu in the long list of potential waifus (waifu quest: dragon edition)?
1. Really? Really? Well, I guess I should have expected it, /Stostri/. [glare]. Now why would /anyone/[/anything] answer that truthfully? [We'll see whether you can get a straight answer on this. I don't think so. Leaving it up to you...]

> By what method did the Binder create us?
Magic. No, really! The Binder presumably had her imprisonment prepared as an avoid-death gambit, and the means to prepare for her return.

>Who/what were we - if anyone - before that happened?
A red dragon. A throwback, more like dragons of old before most of the racial splits. More cunning, a bit more powerful a caster (and a bit more powerful than you should have been otherwise,) as well more intelligent/cunning, and capable of better polymorphing than current red dragons can. (Explaining that little tidbit away.) Not quite as awesome as it sounds, but nifty.

> How much does it cost?
Only the Binder knew her sooper-sekrit speshul ritual.

> What are it's parameters and limitations?
The Bound are unable to disobey commands given. Commands must be obeyed. Mind is unaffected.

> Who defeated the Binder?
The Unspeakable One, briefly manifesting, triggered the Binder's contingencies.

>How thoroughly was she defeated?
Not terribly.

> How many bound were there, and did the costs to make them differ?
Eight to twelve. We'll see.

>How can we perform the Binding ritual?
Trick it out of the Binder, find some forgotten repository of lore, mindrape her, what have you. She knows. Kept it a secret because that's what you do with those sorts of things.

>How large was the Binder's Empire?
A very small continent, (still a continent) to the west of Freeport, between it and the India/Cathay equivalent I've got floating out there in my vague globe imaginings. Most of the Tashz continent, parts of the Rhasverian continent, and parts of said Ind/Cathay continent. Bordering nations jumped when she said so.

>What happened to Lorekeeper?
Departed and did not return. Believed to be dead by her daughter.

>See if we can move the palace.
Possible, I'm thinking, but it will take effort. They can't tell you how, and it will require some research.

>Check the wards to ensure they are all still intact.
Are. Remember, you couldn't scry?

>See if we can go about setting ourselves as the new "Master" of this place, recognized by the golem. Obtain a complete listing of the defenses and attempt to incorporate the best of them into our own lair. If we can't be recognized by the golem see if we can set up an alternate magical control device that does recognize us as master. Also attempt to find out why the golem responds to orders given to it. Busted? If so, ask it what functionalities are impaired.
Default programming will accept orders from dragons, prioritizing blood relatives of Lorekeeper, and above them, Lorekeeper herself.

>Secure all valuables in the library as well as all remaining lore, literature, ect. Inspect it all personally, transfer all lore to our own library and valuables to our hoard. Need a complete list of what we loot, by the way.
That's not a question and it's a fucking castle! Do I have to- Fuck.

>Assess the viability of mounting a doom laser (or equivalent) on the structure.
I want to say yes. I want to say yes so bad, but can't justify it. Also not a question, but hey, who's counting?

>Check and see if there were any tracking enchantments on the missing tomes. I want to re-collect as much of this stuff as possible. Also check for hidden stashes within the palace.
There are. They are scattered, and comparatively few survive. (That's still, like, thousands.)

>Check for any 'presents' left behind by visitors through the centuries. I don't want any sort of non-understood enchantments or traps left inside.
Almost assuredly. I'll need to think, though.

>Questions: We will ask all of these of all three items. We will ask the Watcher first, just in case it can read our mind through the Mind Blank. Then ask the Golem. Finally ask the Amulet. Do not ask the Watcher the questions about the Binder or our condition, in case it is able to convey information to her.
Golem only knows stuff assigned to it, you have to be very precise in your wording for Amulet. Speak loglan.

Final comment, email me stuff if you think of questions after the thread has died. (Want to make this all make sense, or at least contradict itself less than, say, WH40k lore.)

http://suptg.thisisnotatrueending.com/archive.html?tags=dragon+quest

>>14632474
>you have to be very precise in your wording for Amulet. Speak loglan.
Sure. I ask it all the questions listed in loglan. During a brief timeskip.

So, what are the answers? In loglan too, I assume? That blade cuts both ways.

>>14632635
>Need a complete list of what we loot, by the way.
I was meaning something along the lines of "a lot of gold, a bunch of enchanted gear, plenty of gems, blah blah, and X powerful magical items: X1 item; description, X2 item; description, and so on. Plus the subjects that all the lore we recover deal with, broadly.

Not like you have to exactly quantify the amount of gold harvested or whatever. Just tell us roughly how much.

Also, in loglan? Don't be ridiculous, those are perfectly acceptable and exact questions on our part. We aren't Int 24 here, so Azaladon would phrase them better than any human could anyway. Not an excuse. You don't ask us to calculate airspeed and wind drift when we fly around, after all.

Wake up to find that we've been handed the keys to the castle and then some. Heh, we also get a 10k gold back too.